I wanted to name my blog's web address "my favorite place," but the name was already taken. Someone else was pretty quick to figure out that writing a blog really means "going to my favorite place." If you enjoy writing, the mental and emotional release of putting what's on your mind to paper is a transforming process. So I know this blog will quickly become My Favorite Place.
But alas, that is not why the title of this post is My Favorite Place. No, the title comes from a very sweet and unexpected gift I received from my husband on Christmas. A card. Well, not just a card, some chocolate too, which he knows is my all-time favorite thing on earth, right up there with uninterrupted sleep and good coffee. But back to the card. The cover shows a black and white photo of 2 kids with their feet casually touching. The kids are presumably lying on their tummies with their feet up in the air, careless and free. The inside of the card reads, "My favorite place in all the world is next to you."
I was touched by this card because it gave me a much-needed boost of confidence at just the right time. When you're married you know (or at least assume) that your spouse loves you. Otherwise, why would they be slugging through the day to day challenge of juggling kids, work commitments, exercise schedules, laundry, cleaning, bills, pets, dinner preparations, baths- all while struggling against the desire to just finally do something that they feel like doing, for as long as they want?
This card gave me a vote of confidence that despite our harried lives, I'm still a person who is loved, appreciated, even sought-after. Quite a blessing considering I had spent the weeks leading up to Christmas feeling like the Wicked Witch of the West. Over Thanksgiving holiday we moved our kids, pets, and most valued possessions from Southborough, MA to Richmond, VA so that I could take a job working full time again. After contracting part time for 6 months, juggling twins, and a Masters degree, it felt like the right move. And the right move it has been, but not without some intense moments, and plenty of grouchiness all-round. Although we had not expected the transition to be easy, it did take several more weeks than anticipated to get Austin and Bassem, who are 2.5, settled into a new school, me into an office environment, and Larry into a telecommuting gig. Jake, our dog (now 12), also had major surgery to remove some large tumors (fortunately, not cancerous), and the cats let us know how they felt about being uprooted from Massachusetts by peeing on everything in sight. To top things off, we learned that winter colds are alive and well in Virginia, AND, it snows here too! Who would have thought?!?
All that aside, I am thrilled to be reminded that I have one of the best husbands that life can offer. Even when I'm not "in my zone," which is pretty much any time things are somewhat disorganized, I am still someone my husband enjoys being with. Good thing too- since we made a lifelong commitment! In all seriousness, though, I know I have it good. There are few couples who can weather the storm through big transitions like this, and still come out on top. We are lucky to have each other. Larry managing all of the big picture stuff, and me cleaning up all the little details- organizing us, our house, kids, and pets to no avail. Hopefully, all for the greater good- at least, that's my intention :)
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