Home Away From Home

Tonight I drove three hours to spend a few days with my mother at her house. You know it is nice to be "home". It is nice to be able to spend time with my mother.

I use to stay with my parents every other weekend. They probably had so much quality time with me that they were ready for a break when the weekend was over.

But then life got busier and every other weekend turned into one weekend a month. Now it is more like a visit when I can get a couple days off work (normally ends up being over holidays). I feel like I don't get to see them that much and I miss them terribly. I miss going to dinner with my parents, watching artsy movies with my mother or just playing in the yard with Jet. I miss being able to just come out here whenever I want and catch up.

It is all part of growing up though. As we grow up, sadly we get more and more responsibilities and with those added responsibilities we find ourselves with less and less free time. It becomes harder to fit everyone in, harder to have that quality time. . all the time. It is kind of sad when you think about it how life changes. When you are a kid, your parents are silly and bossy, you are with them day in and day out. . and you can't get away from them soon enough. . . but then you grow up and all you want is to see them more . . but you can't get to them soon enough.

I know this feeling is not unique to me. I know Mark misses his parents and he wishes that he had more time for them as well.

The tricky part in all this is finding a way to make time for your parents, your family and your close friends, not letting the time slip through your fingers.

But how? How do you make more time? If only we could add more hours in the day, more weekend days in the week.

I guess the secret is to enjoy the time you have, even if it is short or far in-between. Sometimes, I yearn to be a kid again. . . when time seemed to drag on forever and there was always plenty of time for everything (well except cleaning your room).

Of course, now I am home. . spending time with my mother (which I LOVE) but instead of missing my parents. . I am missing Mark.

I guess you can't have everything. . . well at least not always all at the same time.

(if this seems scatterbrained it is because I am half asleep).