;)
;)
;)
;)
Get me to a nunnery?
I am, at heart, a bit of a loner. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a good friendship or gathering or love my people or crave connection. But, it’s true, if I were banished to a desert island somewhere, upon receiving the news I would happily get up, say a little too cheerfully “Really?” and run to pack my things. I don’t mind alone time is all I’m saying.
In fact, when I used to read about someone sentenced to jail time (or even solitary confinement) I felt a teensy bit jealous of all that quality time & mused “Eh…that wouldn’t be so bad…especially if I had my own cell” (sharing a cell? Not so much). In another place (and religion) I might have been well suited to the nunnery.
I trace this back to when I became a mother.
For example. When I was about to turn 30, G asked what my heart’s desire would be. I knew exactly what I wanted but I hemmed and hawed a bit before he got it out of me (I didn’t want to hurt his feelings!). What I really wanted more than any thing on earth was a weekend by myself. Keep in mind that at the time I had three kids under the age of five and a traveling, working-overtime husband. I didn’t want any demands or agendas, not even a romantic weekend with my husband. Just me, a stack of books, and 36 hours of my own free will and choice. G (knowing me as he does) didn’t blink twice, just cleared his schedule and carried my bags to the car, waving as I headed south to an inn in rural Virginia. I slept in, stayed up late, walked, took long drives around horse country, readreadread, and wrote pages and pages. I wanted to figure myself out a bit, this new 30 version of me.
Nowadays I get my fill of me, of aloneness. The kids are all gone during the day and now I miss having a little buddy tagging along with me. Lately—probably because I’m past the high-intensity early years of mommying with those constant needs, full body contact, and sticky hands, beloved but constant—I’m going back to my more social roots (my parents attest that I was a very social girl!). My 40th birthday happens this year and I'm finding that my dream of an ideal celebration has changed over the last ten years. Now I’m dreaming of a getaway with a gaggle of people, much loud laughter and breezy conversation.
With some quiet alone time built into the schedule, of course.
Do you know of any nunneries that host that kind of weekend?
Or maybe the lovely island of Alcatraz, with its private suites and city views?
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Reader Comments (11)
i would don a habit and frolic in the waves with you any day.
um, just for the record, i was speaking figuratively. i would never actually do that.
While watching Doubt I kept wishing that Meryl would bust out a rendition of Dancing Queen. Amy Adams could have joined in and it would lighten the mood of the film. Now that would be a fun weekend. A mixture of Mamma Mia and nuns or something like that.
Sometimes when my kids were small I would dream of a quiet night in a cell. I often wondered if there was a pool at the local mental hospital. A padded cell with a spa?
I used to dream of a hotel room all by myself.
I'm with you on the "fill" of myself, as my kids are all in school as well. I am, however, a little apprehensive about giving it up for a WHOLE summer!
Have a PUBLIC party! Invite us all... I'll come! Happy Looming 40! (I'm looking forward to 50)
;)
You should have exactly that party! Lots of friends and laughter. I spent my 40th snorkeling with turtles. It was quiet and peaceful and when I got back to the hotel I found my very first sun spot.
If you find the nunnery please let me know!
I do like time to myself but 7 hours is maximum for me. After 7 hours I need other people around.
I hope you find your dream celebration for your birthday.
Best Wishes
Lindsay
I'm a loner too but I love a great party with good friends and delicious food. A weekend alone sounds heavenly...
I never knew how fun it was to be alone until my kids all went to school. Josh still thinks I'm weird for it, but I just don't think one can appreciate it until they get it.
So, let's get cracking on that 40th birthday weekend, shall we? Or at the very least, a trip away!
hmm, with your recent news it looks like we need to come to you. I'm game.
I totally understand this. Sometimes in the busyness of life and the drama of my life, I just CRAVE quiet. Crave it like chocolate.
Someday I'd like to get the nerve to jump in the waves naked and it would be just be me, the sea and the moon and the quiet. Ah.