I just looked up the word reprieve in the dictionary to make sure that I've spelled it correctly and that it is truly the word I was looking for. I've just spent the last 24 hours sans kids and husband...free to do whatever I've wanted to do (which hasn't been much honestly). So after viewing the definition of reprieve I'm not exactly sure if it is the most accurate word to describe my short break from real life. It means, "the postponement of a punishment; temporary relief, as from pain."
Is that how I see my family? As punishment? As inflicting pain? If I'm being honest, maybe sometimes. I think calling them punishment might be more dramatic than necessary. And to be fair, they might deem their choice of a wife and mother as "punishment" on certain days. Pain might also be overstating it slightly. But, I think that it would be dishonest not to admit that maintaining a marriage and parenting children is hard. It's definitely an endeavor that takes more effort and energy than anything I've ever done. It is truly a humbling experience.
Not that I would trade it for anything!! And I have great hope that I will look back on this time fondly...mostly because old people are constantly telling me that these are the best years of my life. That's a sobering thought on those days I'm wishing away...looking forward to a more sane, less demanding season. I have a feeling those days aren't coming, at least not in the way I'm thinking of them. Tomorrow will bring troubles of its own.
So my day of reprieve was a brief calm in the storm and chaos that my 3 boys (husband included) bring to my life. My accomplishments included picking up some groceries, gassing up the car, getting a haircut (a scary blog for another day), taking a bath and reading a book I've had for a few years and hadn't gotten around to. My floors still need mopping and my office piles are still beckoning...but I took a reprieve from that form of punishment (yes, I do consider paperwork to be painful!). They will be here tomorrow and so will my family...and life will go on in all its chaos and wonderfulness and maybe I'll still finish my book...
