Quiet Time

It's the quiet times when I miss Henry the most.  Since we started the home-buying process, we've pretty much been in go mode.  We've been packing, shopping, planning, running errands, cleaning, painting, carpeting, and moving.  In the last couple weeks, I don't think we've had an evening or a weekend day with nothing planned.  For someone like me, who craves down time, this has seemed challenging.  My fuse is shorter, my patience is lessened, my mood is volatile.  Tonight, I finally have a bit of quiet time.  There are certainly things I could be doing, but I decided to take an evening off, relax, watch a little TV, snuggle with the puppies.  But these are the times that Henry fills my mind most.

Of course, quiet time allows time for reflection, thinking, missing.  But I also think a reason I miss Henry more during these times is that quiet time with Henry was my favorite.  I loved taking him places and doing things with him, showing him off...  But even more, I loved just hanging out at home.  I left work every day and the drive to Carrie's seemed so long.  I loved Carrie and Henry's greeting as soon as that door opened.  I loved hearing about his day, chatting with Carrie, and getting Henry packed up and ready to go home.  I talked to Henry on the short drive home, asking him about his day.  Of course, he didn't say much back, but I loved this time together.  And when we got home, I loved just hanging out.  Henry would play in his jumper while I put things away...he bounced and watched as I moved around the kitchen.  Then he'd usually take a little nap (daycare is exhausting!) before dinner time.  Then came bath time, bedtime stories, and tucking him into bed.  It all seems so simple, yet I enjoyed every second.  It truly is the simple things in life that mean the most.

After relaxing tonight, I'll probably be back in busy, unpacking and settling in mode.  But every now and then, I'll make sure to take time to reflect, relax, and remember.  The best thing is that no matter how busy I am, Henry is always with me!