This is My Town

By the time we arrived, the party was in full swing.  Kids were bouncing and jumping and swimming and running.  Squeals of joy and a sprinkles of giggles encompassed the guests.  Adults were scattered throughout the house and yard, eating, drinking, chatting.

From the moment I walked in, the last remaining thoughts of my day slipped away.  I was there in the moment.  Visiting with family and friends I hadn't seen in awhile.

When the whirlwind of events finally began to wind down, I had three exhausted children and a sleeping baby in my arms.

I tucked them into their designated sleepover place.  One in a bed, one on the floor, one on a couch.  We said their prayers, and I kissed their foreheads as they drifted off into dreamland.

A little after midnight, I assumed my place on the couch next to the pack-n-play.  I offered a little prayer of gratitude for our safe trip and quickly fell asleep.

It was the best sleep I've had in months.

Bright and early the next morning, the house began to fill with little voices.  I could hear the spoons clinking against cereal bowls with hushed tones as to not wake the others.

Dressed in our Church clothes, we loaded back up the van and headed off to Mass.  In a crowded Church, I began to reevaluate my life.

Counting my blessings would take too long.  So how is it that I still feel like I'm running on empty?

Exiting the Cathedral, a cool breeze caught my attention.  It was a gorgeous Sunday morning.

With a quick call home, I decided we were in no hurry to leave. 

I had never shown the kids my college campus.  Today, that would change.

Being back brought on a full rush of memories.  I began to remember who I was back then.  I am as much the same now as I am different.  It's buried there inside me.  Somewhere underneath the wife, mother, caregiver, cook, maid, taxi cab driver is the girl I was not that long ago.

The kids were fascinated with my life before them.  Amazed that I, too, once was young(er). 

Maybe it was the weather.  Maybe it was the location.  Maybe it was all these emotions stirring inside me.  Maybe it was being with my four favorite people.  Maybe it was a combination of it all.  Maybe it was none of it.

But something changed in me.

Now I was faced with a decision.

The day was before us. 

What we did with it, was up to ME!