It was an incredible holiday weekend. LeeAnn was out of town from Friday morning, early, until late Monday night on a girl’s boondoggle to Key West. The upside of this was it made it easy for to manage activities, care for the boys, and essentially take care of me without having to answer to anyone. On the downside, the boys and I were all ill and I was solo parent sailing with sick kids, preparing for a party, doing all of the required housework we would normally share and trying to survive.
Three highlights from this weekend are as follows.
First, Marcella’s Surprise Sweet 16!
Wow! How did my daughter get to be 16? More importantly how young was I 16 years ago when she was born? I remember whispering in her ear the day she was born promises to support and care for her and that could be anything she wants to be. She certainly has not disappointed.
That party was a surprise – we had catering, a DJ, decorations, and plenty of friends. Special events like this, on top of having the flu (ugh) are big undertakings. But, the smiles and permanent memories make it all worthwhile.
She and her friends played frisbee and soccer in the backyard. When the party was over they continued to hang out and talk, just what adolescents do. I heard laughter and saw smiles. Her friends brought gifts, nothing extravagant but gifts that showed how well they know Marcella and adore her – things with special meaning.
Turning 16 is the first big step into adulthood. She will get her driver’s license tomorrow and drive her own car to school for the first time on Thursday. Do I worry? Of course, but yet I trust her to be responsible.
I miss the little girl I held in my arms. I miss the little girl that played dress up and walked around in plastic heels. I miss the little girl that sang for me when she was very little. I miss the little girl that would snuggle beside me on the couch to watch a scary movie.
I adore the young woman that lettered in cross country and won the coaches award. I adore the young woman with friends that chant her name to cheer her on. I adore the young woman who continues to become more beautiful with each day. I adore the young woman who is humble, caring, and full of joy.
I miss you Marcella and yet adore everything about you.
Second, I took the boys to the Tampa RV Show
RV’s will always have special meaning for us. First, during the “Great Giveback” (aka Great Recession) we bought an RV when we were moving from Florida to Georgia. We wanted to ensure we did something awesome with our kids even though our life was in complete disarray. We took that old Class-C all the way to Colorado, then Minnesota, across to New York and home.
Of course, two years ago, about now, we made a decision to return to Florida to reunite our family and we needed somewhere to live. It was our RV. That RV served as a vessel to help us sail turbulent change first when we fell apart and then again when we reunited. During the time we lived in Georgia I came to New Smyrna and lived in it off and on for a week at a time to be near the kids.
Most people can’t fathom living in an RV. I offer, when you have nothing then everything you have is something. Our family has great memories and grew closer.
In Tampa I saw three RV’s I like. I am not trying to buy one now, but found these to be the most intriguing products at the show. A little different than the standard, delightfully tacky, RVs we usually see.
My three favorite RVs
- Element – a large living room with a big window.
- Winnebago Brave – looks like it is right out of the 1970s
- Signa Tours – a Great little tear drop camper with a tent on top!
Third, I got a day off.
I have never had MLK day off in my entire professional career of 25 years. Personally, I would rather have president’s day off because it is in February and farther into the year. Taking a Monday off just after we started back to work is hard. But, for whatever reason, (it could have been purple basket day as far as I was concerned) I had the day off. And, after having the flu, throwing a party, going to Tampa, and surviving as solo Dad not having to worry about work today was great. I was able to get caught up on reading for school for the week, fertilize the yard, do laundry, vacuum my car, vacuum and mop the floors, install a VoiP phone system, work on my screenplay and spend time with my boys. I even managed a nap.
Maybe this Monday holiday should come every couple of months and just be called “reset day.” After the holidays and returning to work it was nice to “reset.”
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