Wow! I have just enjoyed another "Mini-Vacation" (as my granddaughter and I refer to them.) I recommend them highly to everyone I know and love. We take them at least once or twice a year. They are called mini-vacations because they do not last more than one or two nights (the mini portion) but they are a chance to get away from home for some activities, swimming, and just quiet thinking time (the vacation portion). Occasionally we plan ahead, saving the money, but like this weekend, often they are a last minute decision to just escape and runaway from problems, pressures and work.
My 12 year-old granddaughter, Alex, has been suggesting we take a mini+vacation for several weeks. It seems that everytime I seem open to the idea, she ends up doing soething else with someone else, a friend, a parent, ad church group, etc. She ends up off somewhere else, and I end up staying home to clean or relax on my own or finding my time filled with other grandchildren, responsibilities or projects which seem to pop up unexpectedly. I have thought about running-away on my own for some recreation of my own, but generally decide to use the money another way or save it and wait, knowing that the right time will come eventually.
So yesterday afternoon I decided, this weekend would be great. It was Alex's last day of school for the year. I had attended an short, but emotionally draining meeting concerning her brother earlier in the week. Even though my hours at work were decreased recently, I had during the week been handed additional duties and responsibilities. I had also learned during the week that a health issue I had been having would best be handled with surgery which would leave it's own problems, and would require several weeks off work. It was a time to celebrate, and a time to let go of worries and pressures. So I called one of our favorite hotels in town and made a reservation for a two night stay, and left a message at home for Alex to start packing for us. (Alex likes the pool in this hotel, the amenities, such as a hair dryer, microwave and refrigeratore, and I like the room arrangement, such as a table for writing or painting and a separate seating area with a couch and chair.)
Of course, like most vacations, flexibility is important, whether it is a long trip or a short overnight jaunt. Planning is great, but you can't expect everything to look or be a certain way. Things happen simply because you are part of a loving family, and because of things you have taught your children to be or do. Alex was excited to go on the long awaited vacation, but I had forgotten about a birthday party she had planned to attend. She was willing to just drop off a hand-made card, and give up her time with friends, but I knew this party was important to her, and being a good friend seemed to me a little more important at the time than just hanging out with family. So the first night, which I had envisioned as the 2 of us at a movie, going to dinner, taking a late night swim and staying up to watch a movie together didn't happen. Instead, we went to the store, bought her a gift to take to the party, grabbed a quick bite at a fast food restaurant, and while she went to the party I went to the hotel (only about 10 miles away) alone to check in, watch a movie and unpack, then back to our house to pick her up after the party, bring her to the hotel where she immediately fell into bed exhausted.
Our next day was busy. We slept in an extra hour or two, dressed for the day, and went downstairs to enjoy the free breakfast buffet our chosen restaurant offers guests each morning. Since this was a holiday weekend, and the hotel was filled, there were no open clean tables, so we took our trays back to our room and ate at the table in our room as though we had ordered room service. I suggested a movie I knew Alex wanted to see at a local theater, and asked if she would like to go skating, something she enjoys but doesn't get to do often. She was thrilled. Since the theatre and skating wouldn't open for another hour or so, we chose to go to the nearby mall and window shop. The plan was to just look around, but we ended up buying new summer sandals for each of us, and enjoyed purchasing some jewelry and hair accessories to wear for the upcoming 4th of July and other activities. The food court provided us with our favorite choices of food to enjoy before heading for the skating and movie center. Since we were open to whatever worked, we didn't plan which was to be first the skating or the movie, so when we found out, we had missed the first posted showtime, we asked about the later show. However, though the previews were almost over the movie had not started yet, so we bought the tickets and hurried into the theatre, sitting down just as the opening scene was beginning. So we enjoyed a great movie together. After the movie we walked to the other end of the building where Alex rented some skates and I found a comfortable bench to sit on where I could watch her and where I could sit and read a good book I had grabbed from home which I wanted to enjoy again. An hour or so later, Alex was ready to go back to the hotel and enjoy what she likes most about the hotel, the swimming pool, full sized, heated and not usually too crowded to actually be able to actually swim if you want to. By the time I made some phone calls and joined her, we had the pool to ourselves. We both enjoyed racing and swimming hard, not just splashing around. We had invited Alex's mother to join us, but she and her boyfriend had a full day planned, but wanted to have some time with Alex. They arrived at the hotel as Alex and I were swimming, but couldn't stay for long. We returned to our room. Alex dressed, gathered her clothes for that night and the next day from the suitcase, and left to go with her mom for dinner and to spend the night.
Although I had originally planned on Alex spending the second night with me, it was fine that I got this second night alone. I could relax alone and spend some time remembering and thinking about the blessings I have that always, when recognized and noticed, always overwhelm and are greater than any perceived struggle or problem that may seem to be overpowering at the moment. Being alone I could reflect on past and present and recognize that life just keeps going on and that for the most part, mine is pretty wonderful, with many things that simply happen and can too often be taken for granted, but are really small miracles and deserve to be recognized with gratitude.
A good night's rest, brought me to my final morning of vacation. A long leisurely bubble bath seemed the ideal way to start the day. Plenty of time this morning to fix my hair and put on a little extra makeup and nail polish. The breakfast area was less crowded, so I was able to sit at a table near the window, enjoy the scenery and eat a leisurely meal. Back upstairs, I packed everything up, did a little writing, and enjoyed a cold drink.
All too soon, it was time to check out. Loading the car and preparing to go to church meetings, and return home to my everyday surroundings, responsibilities and challenges of life, I found I was already mentally planning another trip, sooner rather than later. It was another moment to express gratitude that I am able to enjoy these mini-vacations, even if it sometimes means juggling financial items around, I am able to create these moments in time to renew, refresh, regroup, refocus and reconnect with myself and family members. Others may talk about their great vacations to distant lands, their cruises, their tours, the productions they have seen or concerts and parties they attended before returning feeling refreshed. I am happy for them, and rejoice in their excitement. As for me, I think I will keep looking forward to and enjoying my simple little mini-vacations.
