I really struggle with living so far away from my family, but Punky explained it to me a few months back, and I have come to cherish all the time I spend with them instead of focusing on missing the “everyday” things.

Punky pointed out that I get to spend 24-7 with my parents when we go to Illinois. If I lived closer, I wouldn’t get to lounge in the family room with my leg draped over my mom on the couch while watching late night tv. If I lived closer, I’d be at my house. I wouldn’t be able to kneel at the end of their bed chatting until the wee hours of the morning (doing this is part of my favorite times with my parents…we solve the world’s problems each time!). If I lived closer, I’d be sleeping at my house. I wouldn’t get to have my heart explode each morning when my boys run and knock on my parent’s bedroom door. If we lived closer, we’d be sleeping at our own house. I wouldn’t get to spend hours with my mom making soup from the leftover prime rib. I’d be at my own home decompressing from Christmas. I wouldn’t get to sneak downstairs to make breakfast for them after Christmas. I’d be back at my own house. I wouldn’t get to sit in my jammies and drink coffee planning our day. I’d already be showered, and in the “rush-rush” life mindset if I lived here.

It’s in all the little things that I do get to do every time I am with them…that’s what it’s all about. Punky pointed out that between our spring break, winter break, summer time and various long weekends, if you add it all up, we are with my mom and dad over a month each year. A whole month of special time that I, or we, wouldn’t get to experience if we lived closer.

I like to sit back, reflect, and enjoy my time I have with my family. I cherish this time I get to spend with my parents, as well as the time my kids get with them. I feel like the rushed-oh-so-crazy feel of life is removed when we do get time together-whether it be here in Illinois or when they visit Minnesota.

People have always told me that Punky is an old soul. I used to nod my head in agreement, but now I can whole-heartedly agree that the boy is wise beyond his years. (Now, if I could only get that old soul to tackle the teenage hormones, that’d be awesome!) I jest. I like to think that my kids get it. They know what’s important. They are grounded. They have a good base to draw from as they grow and face the world. One can only hope…