R & R

I'm visiting my folks for a few days to catch a little break from my usual responsibilities. It is awesome. I've been away from home for three days now, and I think this is the longest time I've spent away from my children with no particular agenda. I sleep as late as I want, plan only as far in advance as I want to, and don't have to take care of anyone but myself.

I have never realized how demanding it is to be on call 24 hours a day.

My children are reasonably happy, reasonably well behaved for their age. We have a respectable number of good days, when everyone gets along pretty well and nobody does anything appalling. But it occurred to me last night that if each of us -- me and each small boy -- has one bad day a week, then more than half of every week is occupied by someone's attitude problem.

So I will enjoy my R & R. This morning I woke up to find the table set for breakfast, my parents sitting meditatively on the back porch, the sun shining and the birds chirping.

Thank you, God, for quiet gifts.