meet the positives

Above you see Miss Perky Positive and her brother, Master Playful Positive. Their parents, Mister Polite Positive and Mrs. Pretty Positive, are sadly not pictured. In fact, at the time this photo was taken Mrs. Positive was tucked into the corner of a couch, talk talk talking with her friend who lives 1,700 miles away. But no matter. That hardly got in the way of the pride and joy these children take in living out the full, fantastic meaning of their name.

This is how Mike transformed a couple of a whiny, hot and tired kids into a pair of smiling goofballs who took readily to a game of noticing how great everything and everyone is. I do believe a papa's ingenuity needs certain circumstances to truly blossom. And by certain circumstances, I mean a papa needs a mama to get out of the garden. Give the man a little space to exercise his flair for parenting, uninterrupted!

I knew they'd be fine while I was away. I even suspected it would be a good thing for all of us: I could recharge, reconnect with my dearest friend, and get acquainted with her newest sweet babe while the kids could enjoy a long stretch of "Special Papa Time" (which doesn't normally last for three days). And I knew Mike was a very capable and caring parent who could handle things well.  

But I didn't know they'd be sad to see their idyll with Mike come to an end. They missed me - just like I missed them - but not too much.

My trip was, for lack of a better word, heavenly. Time spent with our dearest and closest friends serves to remind us of the person we truly are, and the things that we value most. The kind of life we hope to lead, the directions in which our heart yearns, the ways we hope to serve others. And even - I don't think this is overstating things - our own lovability and worth. Because we do need to be reminded, don't you think? Even if you are blessed to have, as I do (and very, very grateful for it), an affectionate family whose members give and receive many "I love yous" a day - there is something about stepping out of the busy flow of regular life and being joyfully present with a friend that confirms the inherent, unquestionable value of the both of you. It felt so luxurious, this trip, and it really was - but so much more restorative than any massage could possibly be!

(If you have been on the fence for awhile about visiting a special friend who lives too far away, or can't quite seem to find the right time or settle on the right place to meet - well, I am here to tell you to just do it. Figure it out. Book the flight, clear your calendar, announce that you will soon be sleeping on her couch. It will be worth it.)

And the kids? I did miss them. It hurt to say goodbye. But when I returned, it felt good to step back into the swift river of everyday life, even with its homework to help with, spilled smoothie to mop up, kids to drop off, birthday gifts to arrange (Mike deserves a good one tomorrow, wouldn't you agree?) and work emails to return. I didn't mind it. With scant exceptions, I liked it. Today I saw their beloved faces with fresh eyes.