It was quite unexpected, this rare opportunity of having 45 hours all to myself. I was initially set to drive my niece and her newborn to visit her father, my brother-in-law, in Nashville. However, plans shifted, leaving me with an unanticipated stretch of free time. I canceled the dog’s grooming appointment, my 8-year-old was already with her other grandparents, and I waved goodbye to my husband as he left for his business trip.
In that moment, it felt as if the universe aligned perfectly, granting me a slice of blissful solitude.
I was entirely alone in the house, free from the constant calls of “Mom!” or frantic searches for misplaced items. The television could be mine to commandeer, allowing for a binge of shows devoid of aliens, John Wayne, or military themes. No need to dodge children’s networks to prevent my youngest from catching a glimpse of shows like iCarly or Scooby-Doo. I could let the TV run all night, infomercials and all, while snacking on crackers tucked beneath my pillow.
I envisioned baking chocolate chip cookies loaded with walnuts—just the way I like them—without worrying about accommodating anyone else’s tastes. I could indulge in every cookie I baked, savoring them guilt-free. Dinner could be popcorn, followed by cheesecake for dessert. I could settle in with NCIS on a continuous loop, my laptop perched on my lap, lounging in pajama pants and a tank top, completely unbothered by appearances.
The fantasies of soaking in long bubble baths, reading uninterrupted chapters of a book, and sleeping until noon danced through my mind. Here I was, a 52-year-old woman juggling the responsibilities of raising an 8-year-old granddaughter, caring for an 85-year-old father, and managing a traveling husband. This was a dream come true.
I imagined the hours ahead like a general mapping out a strategy—planning for extra sleep, aiming to wake up refreshed, and contemplating whether I could stay awake the entire time (I concluded that would be impossible).
Once the house was finally mine, I sank into the couch, opened my laptop, and turned on my recorded Hallmark movies. I attempted to multitask by watching, reading, and browsing online, ready to relish the peace that my solitude offered.
Four hours later, I woke up, my laptop’s battery dead, my movie marathon over, and my neck sore from dozing off. I decided to call my granddaughter, wondering if she might want to come home a bit early. After all, we had chocolate chip cookies to bake and a spa day to plan.
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In summary, what started as a surprise opportunity for solitude turned into a delightful experience of indulgence and relaxation, reminding me of the importance of self-care amidst the chaos of everyday life.