"This pool is shady. I NEED sun, so get back over here!" she scorned. A mom who's little girl just wanted to play with her friend. A mom who couldn't see past her need for perfect tan lines. A mom who was missing the joy of vacation and was, in turn, stealing it from her daughter.
My heart breaks. I wish I could make her see just how much she is missing. I wish her daughter could spend an afternoon with a mom who was completely engaged. I wish she could know the joy of splashing with her children. The memories that far outlast a tan.
I've traded pina coladas for snow cones, novels for sand castles, and late nights for early mornings. My tan lines aren't even, my people watching has been narrowed to three little ones, and more money was spent at The Children's Place than Banana Republic. Vacation has changed.
It's not that I have given up on any of the original ways of vacation. They are certainly more relaxing, but there will be times for those. Soon enough, my book reading will only be interrupted by teenagers looking for money or food. For now, I will cherish these moments with my little ones and, while I may be tired, my heart will be full and the memories will last.
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My heart breaks. I wish I could make her see just how much she is missing. I wish her daughter could spend an afternoon with a mom who was completely engaged. I wish she could know the joy of splashing with her children. The memories that far outlast a tan.
I've traded pina coladas for snow cones, novels for sand castles, and late nights for early mornings. My tan lines aren't even, my people watching has been narrowed to three little ones, and more money was spent at The Children's Place than Banana Republic. Vacation has changed.
It's not that I have given up on any of the original ways of vacation. They are certainly more relaxing, but there will be times for those. Soon enough, my book reading will only be interrupted by teenagers looking for money or food. For now, I will cherish these moments with my little ones and, while I may be tired, my heart will be full and the memories will last.
Thanks for sharing this, Erin. I hope I can have at least half of your perspective on our upcoming family vacation! You're right; the little ones are what matter the most....
ReplyDeletegood reminder for me on my perspective before I hit the lake today. thanks, friend!
ReplyDeleteI love this post.
ReplyDelete