Life Lessons.........

............or How I Spent My "Mom Unplugged" Vacation.


Recently, I returned from five days in South Florida, visiting and partying with friends from high school.  I went alone.  That's right, I left the husband and kids behind and went for several days of rest, relaxation, and ridiculous fun.  


Last summer, my high school class celebrated their 30 year reunion, but I was unable to join in the festivities.  Honestly, I wasn't all that interested in going, until just before the weekend in question.  See, I had heard that a couple of the people with whom I really wanted to reconnect would be there, and that made me question my decision to skip the events.  Alas, circumstances dictated that I stay home, and all was well because Facebook allowed me to reestablish contact with my long lost friends.


Now fast-forward several months, and all the cards fell into place for me to make an actual visit to my "other" home.   I received word that a gal pal with whom I was tight throughout high school (and who has lived in England for 20 years) was going to be in Florida visiting her father.  Then I remembered I had a free plane ticket that I had to use before it expired this week.  Then a friend who had been residing in Saudi but had recently moved back to Florida agreed to let me stay with her for free and drive me around since she doesn't work (therefore, negating my need to spend money on a rental car).  Then another treasured friend, and then ANOTHER said that if I came down, they would put aside their normal "hermit-like" life and come out for a night of frivolity with me.


Well!  I studied my calendar diligently, finally coming up with five days where I could miss some of my mom-duties and headed south.  Bags packed, and with heart full of anticipation, I boarded a jet last week and headed to South Florida.  This is what I learned from those five days:

1. Sometimes I can't go home again.  Then again, sometimes I can.
2. There may be people I don't remember, but somewhere along the way, if I've paid them some kindness, they WILL remember me and want to do something special for me like organize a dinner or two with friends. 
3. There will be people who you always liked and apparently liked you, and they will show you great kindness even if you have not seen them in 30 years.
4. There will be people that I had forgotten I missed.  And that I miss them very, very much.  I shall now NOT forget them again.
5. There will be people you never knew back in school, but when you meet as adults, you ask yourself, "Why didn't I bother to get to know them when we were in school?"
6. That charming snake-in-the grass whom I thought shed his skin and learned to walk upright?  Um, yeah, still a snake and even more venomous now that he's reached full adulthood.  And I found out that my snake charming skills are a bit weak from living in the suburbs.  Dammit.
7. I really needed to be away from my husband and children for a bit in order for us to remember how much we all love and cherish each other.
8. Five days is not enough time to catch up with long-lost friends, and yet.....it's just right.

I didn't get nearly enough toes-in-the-sand time, but I did breathe in as much sea air as I could in between all of the to-ing and fro-ing.  It was hectic, it was chaotic, it was fun, and it was joyous. 

It was wonderful to go.  And it's great to be home.

Later daze, y'all............