Do you ever get to the point that you feel like you need a therapist? My wife, Amy, would probably tell you that I need to see a professional psychiatrist on a daily basis and there could be a little truth to that assessment, at times. Seriously, do you ever get to the point where you just need to get away for a day or two?
This weekend was one of my “sane weekend” trips. One or two things will happen during a “sane weekend”. I will come back to work refreshed and ready to hit the ground running, or I will come back to work with the same grumpy attitude I had before I departed. The employees here at The News-Banner cheer for the first option; they deal with grumpy Jamie enough.
However, this weekend was great. We traveled just across the state line into South Carolina to spend a few nights on Hilton Head Island. The first part of the trip tested my sanity. Amy made Cole, Jacob and me visit the shopping stores on the island. Oh boy….what fun the boys and I had walking and shopping (dripping with sarcasm of course). I guess this is her way to relax a little, not my cup of tea, but whatever floats your boat honey. My idea of shopping is to go to the one store I need to go to, get what I need and leave. Amy’s idea of shopping is visit 50 stores and then go to the store where she actually needed to buy something.
On Saturday the boys and I lounged in the hotel room for a little while before getting out (Amy went shopping, go figure). It’s a good thing we did; I would need that time of rest.
I believe our youngest son, Jacob, came into this world running. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word relax. He’s always got to be out doing something. Even when we get a few hours at the house he and a neighborhood friend (his brother from another mother as he likes to say) are outside riding bicycles or throwing a baseball.
“Let’s go ride bicycles or let’s go swimming in the indoor pool,” he proclaimed at an early hour Saturday morning.
I put him off as long as I could. So about lunch we rented four bicycles and went for a ride on the island. Did I tell you it was a long bicycle ride? I think we visited areas of the island still unknown to man. During our little adventure we visited a park area where grown men were playing rugby. If you’ve never witnessed the sport, it’s insane. Rugby is basically like tackle football with one exception, no pads. I personally think these guys need to take one of my “sane weekend” trips.
When we finally arrived back at the hotel we decided to walk down to the beach, which seemed like a mile hike. On the way back from the beach Jacob spotted a ping-pong table and horseshoes. Yep, we played for about 30 minutes and then he spotted a foosball table…another 30 minutes. Then on the way back to the room, Cole spotted a basketball court. Needless to say after an hour on the basketball court I could no longer feel my legs.
“Let’s go swimming. I’m going to change into my swim shorts,” Jacob proclaimed as soon as we walked back in the room.
Luckily I was able to talk him down and we went to get something to eat before the swim. About 9:30 p.m. we finally were able to sit and relax in the hotel room. It had been a long day, but a very good day.
Sometimes in this rat race life we all live, it’s good sometimes just to take a little break. It’s funny how some of the simplest things in life, such as a bicycle ride or shooting a few hoops, can help get you grounded and also help you remember what is really important in life. Take time to love and enjoy life with your family.