"...As I drifted in and out of sleep, I pondered the fact that I always dread these long road trips while we're preparing for them. But I've also learned that, if you really want to break out of your work rut and get in touch with your family, there's nothing like spending 25 hours together in a vehicle hurtling across fairly barren countryside to help you reconnect. Here are some things I've discovered on our trips:
*Our children genuinely enjoy spending time with each other. They travel well, and they have a great time making up games, watching movies and singing along to the music on the radio. They also fight every now and then, and they sometimes get a bit whiney.
*Our children also enjoy spending time with their parents. During the hours at night as they drift off to sleep and in the morning as they start to wake, we're able to have quiet conversations with them. We are a captive audience, which is rare in our busy lives...it's a long trip and we're all in it together, so we take time to talk.
*I love talking with my wife. When all of the children are asleep, and we're trying to keep each other awake, we chat about all kinds of things. Over many years of road trips, we've made some major decisions during discussions by the dashboard lights. I wouldn't trade those conversations for anything.
*It's cool to watch your children sleep. I think all parents do this when their kids are babies, but it's amazing to watch them when they're older too...all peacefully resting next to each other, breathing softly, as the light of the moon streamed in through the windows of the van and gently touched their faces. It was a beautiful sight, the kind that makes you feel all is right with the world.
*Of course, you also learn practical things on long trips, such as: gas is really, really expensive; Twizzlers are good snacks for keeping you awake; satellite radio is a godsend when you're in eastern New Mexico and west Texas; it's OK to let your wife splash water on your face if you look drowsy while driving; at least one child will always decide he or she needs to go to the bathroom five minutes after your last stop; and nothing will put you in motion faster than hearing 'I think I'm going to throw up' as car sickness sets in at the end of a long day on the road.
*Most of all, you learn that it's OK to be in a remote location with your family-and without cell service-every now and then. Work will still be there when you get home. It always is. But the children will get older and leave some day, and you'll regret it if you missed such moments.
The fact is, work/life balance doesn't just happen. You've got to search for it. And if you look hard enough, sometimes you'll find it while sitting in a minivan, a box of doughnuts on your lap and your family snoozing all around you."
Hope you enjoyed this, love, Mom
