thoughts on play & family continued

We just got back from a lovely 6 day vacation. Our first stop was Santa Monica to visit Bob's sister. It was a wonderful, wacky 48 hours of kids running and playing. A great day at the beach jumping waves. A chance to chat and validate the realities of family. We had a wonderful dinner Saturday night for my niece's 18th birthday. How quickly these little people grow into adults.

We then headed to Disneyland. It's cheesey but I love it! I think I love the fact that it gives you permission to suspend time and space and again to just play. We are fortunate that the girls are now 8 and 16 so there wasn't much whining or getting over stimulated. It was really our first family vacation where we could all enjoy the same activities. We rode the new Tower of Terror...ahhh! Mary rode it 6 times. I'm not sure I will ever feel the same about elevators.

The best part of the trip were all the silly times...Bob leading us in skipping through the hotel, screaming in the hotel elevator like we were on the ride, running from the hotel pool into the park to ride the Grizzly (and getting soaked!), collecting all the disposable items in the hotel to create a new "hotel" game for Katie. We stayed up late each night watching the Olympics which was also great fun.

Somehow it was also a very reflective trip for me. I know Disneyland and reflection...go figure. Most of my reflection was centered on the girls growing up and my role as a parent changing. Mary has had an amazing transformation since her trip to Costa Rica. She is like this flower coming into to full bloom. I am a bit in awe of the young woman she is becoming. On the one hand I am so honored to be her Mom and on the other hand I feel this nagging sadness knowing that she is slowly moving out of our nest. How do you let your child go? What can ever fill that space in your bed each morning? I am not yet sure how I will adapt. For now I am just present to a growing bittersweet sadness in my heart.