Jerry and I just returned from a 10 day getaway by ourselves. Yes, it was wonderful! Time to ourselves, time to relax and do as we please. But as they say, "all good things must come to an end" and after the first day back we have realized that as watching the sun rise and set against the waves of the ocean is indeed wonderful, reality back in Grand Junction, Colorado is good too.
In reality, we really stressed over how Lindsay would react to us being gone for so long. We have gone on trips before but not for this long. We worried if she would have seizures while we were away and if she would be so stressed that she wouldn't sleep. We wondered if in her mind, she would understand us going away by ourselves, if she comprehended that we would be back and things would return to normal. We just didn't know how she would react to the changes to her life in 10 days. In reality, all went great. We had a wonderful friend, Kelli (yes, another Kelli with an "i") stay at the house with her and they had a great time! We would call home and Kelli would say she couldn't believe how Lindsay acted so sad when we called! It was as though she wanted to make us feel like she missed us but in reality, she was having a great time!
In reality, it was so sweet to see Taylor pick us up at the airport with Lindsay and Babygrr in the front seat of the car. All three of them with smiles on their faces, happy to see us. We were chatting with Taylor in the car about things and Lindsay reaches over to turn up the radio dial volume to hear the song playing. Taylor grins as he looks at Lindsay and says "you must like this song, uh?"
In reality, Lindsay reminded us right away of the important things! To "go to the store", "get my papers", "babygrr eat", " call my mom" and that we needed bandaids! (Band aids- future blog entry!) At bed time last night, she was right back in the routine asking us about our next day. She asked me, "you get your "caca", mom?" (coffee) and then, a new question! She asked Jerry, "you get your caca-pop?" We looked at each other and smiled. She knows Jerry doesn't drink coffee but likes a diet coke in the morning, kind of like a morning coffee. Therefore, "caca-pop"! We giggled!
In reality, it was back to our Sunday routine of cooking a Sunday dinner and then watching America's Funniest Videos. Nothing better than hearing Lindsay and Jerry laughing out loud at the silly videos. Then on to Extreme Makeover Home Edition, having tears in our eyes of the good things people do for each other and watching Lindsay "get it" too. She smiles and says "aaah".
In reality, after not having to cook dinner for over a week, I was out of practice and burned myself with the lid to the pot . To make things better, I got a big hug from Lindsay, telling me "aaah, mom", that she liked her dinner.
In contrast, Babygrr, now that is a different story! She did not have the welcome home attitude that Lindsay had. No, I got the silent treatment from her, the "how could you have done this to me" and "I got you back by throwing up on your comforter while you were gone" look, which she did! She is slowly acting like she loves me again. The reality that a animal loves you so much that she got depressed with you gone is amazing! Or could it be that Lindsay drove her crazy trying to hold her the whole time and she is just really mad at me!
We all need to get away from it all once in awhile, but home can be a comforting real thing. Jerry and I came up with a code word to say to each other at moments when "our reality" gets overwhelming. A word that can take us back to those relaxing moments together on the beach, listening to waves come to shore. Having a chance to have those quiet moments helps you realize the precious moments of our everyday reality. The importance of finding the wonderful in our world at home each day.
Yes, reality is good .....but alright, I admit, we have had to use the code word already. :)
