My husband and I have been staying at a lovely bed and breakfast in a foreign land, and I’ve been too busy to write. Every morning we are awoken before dawn as the aromas of fresh brewing coffee, sausages, and fried potatoes with peppers and onions waft up to our loft. We turn up the heat on our electric blanket and snuggle against the chill morning air. Our minds hover between sleeping and waking, and we nearly forget where we are until…
“Bye, Mom.” Slam! (door one) and slam! (door two). Granddaughter #1 is off to school. I lay in bed for awhile longer, wondering how long I can play dead. I creep downstairs and find my daughter savoring her first cup of coffee and a moment of peace before granddaughter #2 needs to get up and get ready for school. Another lunch is packed (that makes three per day for her hubby and the girls), school folder is checked one last time, and daughter heaves a sigh of relief that nothing was missed this time, no brownies she was unaware of are expected today. This time.
My husband and I have been a part of this busy family’s life all week, the trips to school, the grocery shopping, swim practice, gymnastics, volunteer work at school (I was the guest teacher for the art appreciation lesson this morning!), my daughter’s orchestra rehearsal for their Christmas concert, cooking for a busy family and figuring out how to jiggle schedules to make them work and to get everyone where they need to be on time. I’m not really a part of this. I’m just an observer and a tag-along, but I’m amazed at how it all seems to work, though it wears me out just to watch sometimes. Did I really work that hard when I was a young mom?
The rest of my kids come tomorrow and we’ll all be together for this Thanksgiving holiday, talk about something to be thankful for! It will be a boisterous time full of laughter and stories and fabulous food. I have not spent a minute working on my novel and feel absolutely no guilt about it. This family time is infinitely more important. And short.
Before I know it, we will be back home and back to our routine. It will seem too quiet for awhile for my husband and me, but then I will return to my writing and my responsibilities, and life goes on. But for right now, I’m enjoying my time in this foreign land where there is never a dull moment. I used to live in this land once, you know.
Coming East 
Me too…after a family reunion last week the house has been too quiet. But, slowly I am returning to my own routine! It’s fun to be reminded how valuable that time was…
Yes, Joni, it does seem so quiet around here after the hustle and bustle of our Thanksgiving with all the kids, but I think I’ll begin to enjoy the peacefulness again. Glad you had time with family.
Susan we both know how quickly time flies and the busy years are behind us all too soon. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with the family and we’ll catch up with you again later.
Enjoy your family time in that foreign land. Those moments are much more important and go by too quick. Which I why I’m taking a long break from writing as well. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks, EC. We did have a great time, but it was all too short. Now I just need to regroup and get on with my responsibilities. What a drag!
Sounds like a grand Foreign Land to be in. I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful. Here’s wishing you and your family a lovely rest of the weekend! 🙂
Thanks, EC. It’s nice to be home, even though I loved being with the kids.
B & B in a foreign land…with grandchildren. 🙂 Glad you had a wonderful time with family.
Thanks, Pstti. Now zi have to finish NaNoWriMo.
I feel the same way when visiting our kids/grandkids. I enjoy the hustle and bustle and am glad I don’t have to do it on a daily basis any more. At least we’re having good weather while you’re here.
Yes, HG, the weather was beautiful while we were there. We are home now and everything is peaceful, but I sure enjoyed our time with the children.
It is good we are young when we have all that daily hustle and bustle. I so enjoy my time with my sons and their families but whew! Glad you are enjoying your visit.
Thanks, Winsomebella. They wear me out just watching them.
Sounds like a delightful shift in life focus! These are precious moments to give thanks. I suspect one of the end result blessings will be the flowing of the rest of your novel upon your return. Happy Thanksgiving!! I’ll be on the phones at LL Bean waiting for your call…
Thanks, Carol. I have just three days to finish up my 50,000 words when I get back, but I agree with you that I think the words will come easier after this break.
How well you say things Susan! I’m sure lots of other once-busy-moms feel the same way when they visit their young families. Me too! Our family are coming to us this Thanksgiving, including six grandchildren, for the festivities. It’s a lovely holiday I think.
It is a lovely holiday, Dor, I agree. Less stressful than Christmas, I think, though I love them both.
So many of us used to live in that foreign land! Sometimes when I look back I wonder how I coped with three young children, all their activities, volunteer responsibilities, and an overnight traveling husband. Sounds like you are enjoying the view from the grandparents “window,” which is so sweet. Enjoy your time with your family and savor every moment. May you and yours have a truly blessed Thanksgiving wrapped up with much love.
My time with them all is winding down, but Christmas is around the corner and we have Boston to look forward to. Think I need the break in between!
Have a Great Thanksgiving! We have already had our Thanksgiving here in Canada, but it too was full of family and food!
Yes, Margie, I know yours was back in October. I love this holiday.
So well said, Susan. I visited my daughter a few months ago and was amazed at how she jiggled. My daughter then said to me, “Mom, you did all these. Remember?”.
Thanks, Amy. I know I was a very busy Mom, plus I worked full time, but I still don’t remember things being as hectic as mothers have it today. Do I just have a bad memory?
That sounds like a delightful foreign land. What a great way to spend your holiday. I love visiting my family or having them come to stay with me and it’s always an adjustment when I get back to my solitary schedule. I hope you’ll have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Shary. I enjoy my solitude after I’ve settled into it, but it takes awhile for me to stop missing the hustle. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Sounds very memorable and precious.
Thanks, Georgette. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family as well. You’ll be a lot warmer than we’ll be up here in Michigan.
Beautiful post. I loved your last line. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Kelly. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!