Saturday, October 13, 2007

Leaving home

Tomorrow morning, before the crack of dawn, I am getting on a plane and going to Toronto for 5 days. I am going to a course I need (so I will be qualified to do the job I've been doing since September) and the highlight, in my mind, is the King Size Bed I will have ALL TO MYSELF for the four nights. No one will call me to change a butt during the night. I will not be woken up by someone else's nightmares. I will get ready every morning in peace and quiet. This will be the first time I've been alone since I got married. Really. I went on a trip last spring, but I had 50 students with me. Not alone. Yes, the entire city of Toronto will be there, and I will be in classes all day, but I will not see any familiar faces for 5 days. And this is where the problem comes in.
Girl Terror cried 3 mornings last week just thinking about me going away. Every morning, she wakes up and the first thing she says is "How many days until you leave?" She is sad and mopey anytime she thinks about it. I've tried being upbeat, I've tried not talking about the trip, but she is fixated on the lack of Mummy snuggles she will be getting for those 5 days.
Today, we had a girl day. Just the two of us. We took the car in for winter tires. We did a bit of shopping. She had her first Japanese lunch (sushi is her new favourite food), and we went to the library. By the time we got home, we had talked about the upcoming week, and I think it will be okay. She got her dose of time with me, and now she is ready to be a daddy's girl for a while. However, I have a problem.
I spent the day with my daughter, admiring her humour and poise. I got to share my favourite restaurant with her, and see her experience something new. I hugged her close and read to her in the library. Now I remember why I love this little girl so much, and I am not at all ready to leave for five days. I will be all alone, no hugs at midnight, no one needing me, no snuggles.

That king size bed is going to be good, though.....

4 comments:

Dreama said...

I remember having to leave my little girl before for about 10 days. I got large brown paper bags and put her day's clothing in there, a packaged snack, and a note from me with hugs and kisses or funny drawings on the note. The bags were all numbered in reverse order so she knew how many days until I got back. She just loved it and it helped her to know I had picked out clothing for her as if I was there. You could do it with her if she wants to help.

Elizabeth said...

Every mom of young children I know... um, most dads too, loves to just absolutely veg out on business trips.

Me no different :)

Something decadent and delicious and restorative about padding about a big empty hotel room, clean and tired, with a glass of something before settling in front of the TV, remote ALL TO YOURSELF and what's more? In the MIDDLE of the bed.

Enjoy, best you can :)

OldHorsetailSnake said...

My guess is you are going to get lonely real quick. Too bad, too, for it's an interesting city. Anyway, good luck. Sleep tight.

Anonymous said...

Five days on your own? I am green with envy. I'm thinking that once you're at the course and touring about the city, you'll have a wonderful time. You'll have a wonderful time collecting treats and souvenirs to take home for the kids, too, I'm sure!

Have FUN!