"Days, weeks, months... who knows?"

The following post is best read while imagining the orange-bearded author's best interpretation of a dismally gloomy donkey...

Michele's been away from home for 5 nights now. The kids have been perfect but miss Mommy just as I do.
*Supper time isn't as punctual when Mom's not around. Somehow we manage.
*The laundry gets washed and folded but it doesn't happen magically. It takes hard work when Mom's not around. Somehow we manage.
*The dog gets rough-housed and plenty of attention but misses his best friend and snuggle partner. Somehow he manages.
*Emma plays dolls and asks the same of dad. It's just not the same w/o Mommy around . Somehow the dolls manage.
*The school clothes and perfectly matched outfits aren't always laid out the night before. We carefully get dressed each morning and somehow we manage.
*There's food in the pantry and milk in our glasses. Good thing WalMart is close by because our provider has gone on vacation. Yet, somehow we manage.
*I haven't lost any kids, skipped any meals, or burnt the house down. How have I managed?
*Library books have been returned on time and gymnastics lessons attended. This schedule is hectic. Somehow we manage.
*The mail still comes. The bills have been paid. I have little to worry about. How did she manage?
*Logan's fingers are free. Mom's not here to be wrapped around them. He's flooding me with hugs but saving some for Mommy, if he can manage.

The most important person in the world to us has gone on a much deserved vacation. Time to herself to...
- sleep in without toddler body slams.
- go for a walk/run without frequent stops for her dog to mark the town as his.
- not worry about work and making other people happy.
- read a book by the pool without having to worry about her attention hungry husband whining on the couch.
- shop and browse and mingle at her pace without her family in tow.
- do whatever she darn well pleases... within reason of course - I mean she is staying with my grandparents after all!

We sure miss her and look forward to having her home on Friday but while she's been gone we've got along just fine.
As my good pal Eeyore says,
"It works... didn't expect it to... but I'm kinda glad..."