Home Schooling One

Home schooling an only child can present its unique trials. For instance, hearing "Mama, pretend you saw... (fill in the blank)" about a hundred times a day. Another example "Mama, ya know what?" about a hundred times more. Don't get me wrong, I love that little squirt. I love watching her learn, watching her play, watching her eat, sleep, breathe. She brings me joy beyond measure but there is only so much patience in this middle aged woman. Couple that with a husband who is gone a lot, A LOT, and you have one Mama who is ready for a small break.

As luck would have it, Paul and I are away for 5 nights to Victoria, beginning on Monday. All alone. Just the two of us. It is the first real vacation that we have had alone together in 27 years. You read that right. We have been married just short of 27 years and this will be our first trip. I am looking forward to being alone with him. No children, no responsibilities. No housework, laundry or cooking. One would think that this would be every woman's dream. One would think.

But not me. I am a little anxious about the whole thing. Anxious about flying. Anxious about being away from home. Anxious about the entire trip really. Isn't that pathetic? Isn't that just horrid?

I have never been one to travel. If someone told me I just won a trip for two to Hawaii I would immediately think "Oh crap." What is the matter with me? I have been like this since I was a child. I loved being invited to sleep overs but more often than not had to be taken back home because I was "sick". I was sick. Home sick. And now, at the tender age of 44 years and 10 months, I feel no different.

But my sister Lyse said to me today to try to focus on the good things. The food, the wine, the sleeping in, the lounging around, Butchart Gardens, being alone with Paul. All good, to be sure.

And dagnamit, I will relax. I will enjoy. I will. I will. I will. And maybe, just maybe... I'll see a whale!