I can’t help but feel giddy about the upcoming cruise I’m about to journey on. The cruise is a 4-day retreat for women, marketed as a Moms-cruise, complete with pampering events, self-care and self-help seminars, as well as mom-centric social time. I’m straying from calling it a mom-cruise because while I’m on that ship I will not be wearing the “mommy” label at all! For 4 short (or perhaps, long) days, I’m just going to be Tawanna.
I’m going to be a vibrant adventurous carefree young woman. I’ll have other labels for that week: networker, best friend, girlfriend, entrepreneur, adventurist, critic, writer, beach bum, Workout Wendy, whatever. I’m going to live that week to the fullest and savor in every moment of temporary freedom that I have – no schedules, no requirements, no pampers, no 3:00 pick-up line, no cooking (though I was momentarily tempted by the Mexican cooking class), no dishes, no cleaning, no ironing, no disciplining, no “no’s”. Simplicity, tranquility, relaxation, and rest -that’s what I’ll be working towards. That’s what I’ll be achieving. Do you see why I’m giddy?
Even packing is going to be somewhat exciting as I ponder how much I really should over pack. Now, I’ll still put together my handy To-Do/To-Pack List. A girl just can’t live without it. Receptions, afternoon tea, a cocktail party, seminars, a wine and cheese private art exhibition, a spa date, and simple pool side romper all warrant that list.
The trip doesn’t represent the mantra I’ve built the whole Mom’s Guide to Travel business on: “Take your kids anywhere. Just pack them up and go!” And it is definitely a departure from the role I’ve played full-time for the past 6 years, but everybody needs that departure here and there – even dads. I’m confident that it’ll be a time of rejuvenation and recharge. It might even make me greedy and more demanding that it’s repeated every 6 – 9 months. Now, I can demand it, but I’m pretty sure I won’t get it. In reality, it probably won’t be repeated for another 1 -2 years.
In the meantime, I’m going to live in the moment. No need to worry about that right now. I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
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