Checking in from a new “third place”…
We are enjoying coffee and tea at a “third place” today. The washer was humming and the kitchen was cleaned up from breakfast when we left. And for those who zoom on photos, yes that is a wine bar behind me but have no fear. I am only enjoying a cup of Costa Rica here. Russ has a green tea.
see……
The week has gone smoothly and we are on the home stretch. It has put me in mind of when we had a young family and took a leap to leave them for a few days. We had a family friend who was attending college in our town and she was one we trusted to take over for a few days.
Back then, we didn’t have the cell phones with calendar apps and email updates on activities. I remember taking pen and paper and writing out detailed notes for every day of my absence. I taped these to our kitchen cabinets. I was only going for part of a business trip with Russ but it was all the way out to the West coast.
I tried to think of every single thing she would need to know. Her fiancé was going to come help out when he could. I was so worried about if things would go well.
They did.
The kids missed us but loved having this young couple at the helm. They not only survived, they had some fun memories and new ways to do things. Our first dinner back together I was surprised when we sat down and all three threw their thumbs up making me the last and winner of saying the prayer that night.
Apparently this was how Marge’s family designated prayer and from time to time we continued this as a new tradition. They obviously had loved the dynamics their care takers had brought into our home.
There is something to finding out that people can carry on a bit without us and there is something to getting through having things done differently and missing your folks.
Russ and I have laughed numerous times as we have made gaffs with our own routine and possessions since we are definitely out of our rhythm.
I think we will all walk away from this week feeling good about how we managed and with some fun memories and a greater appreciation for our everyday normal life <3