You know how sometimes you don’t want to do something, then you do it, and you actually enjoy it? Well, that was this weekend.
We have been invited a hundred times to go with friends to Echuca and go water skiing with them on their boat. There has always been an excuse, valid or not, as to why we couldn’t go. Too busy, working, Poss tired, me seriously uncomfortable in bathers in front of anyone, feeling like a burden on friends, a long drive, money… whatever.
This weekend was no different. Husband and Poss wanted to go, but it was a cost we hadn’t factored in for the month and I worry about these things. We were away last weekend, so I felt like we still had barely touched the ground from that trip. Tired. Grumpy. All too hard really.
But they pushed and nagged. Our friends were keen for us to go, genuinely so. So at the last minute, a call was made. We were going.
Early Saturday we packed up the car and hit the road. Despite almost running out of petrol halfway between here and no-where (which was awesome for our marriage) we made it to Echuca. Within a couple of hours we were on the water.
My friends have told me about the magic of the water. How the boat goes out and hours and hours pass and you don’t even realise how long you have been gone, the kids are happy and relaxation abounds. I scoffed at her. Seriously? Poss on a boat? That does not even sound slightly fun; fully expecting a weekend of me on high alert as she tried to escape into the water.
Instead, I proven seriously wrong. We watched Poss blossom. She laughed with pure joy as she jumped in and out of the boat with the other kids. She listened intently as she was told how to knee-board and nailed it first go. She tried the ski’s, couldn’t master them, but instead of getting frustrated, she jumped straight back on the knee-board again with a smile. Next time Mum. Next time.
We saw the best in her. She consoled her friends when they struggled, she encouraged the others in the boat to have a go, she practised patience as she waited her turn. She laughed. She giggled. She almost burst with an infectious joy, a throw your head back and laugh kind of joy, that shone out of her face. An overwhelming sense of contentment.
And in turn, we laughed. We relaxed. Instead of tense lines thrown at each other in passing, we had actual conversations. I jumped in and out of the water, swimming with Poss, the Murray seeing me in my bathers, and even had a go on the biscuit. Guess what? The world didn’t end and I had so much fun.
Hours passed and the sun was setting, the day had flown. Just as we were told it would. Sunday did the same thing. Our planned departure pushed further and further back as it was obvious the kids were having a good time and we tried to suck every last second out of the weekend.
When it was finally time to go, instead of being upset that it was over, Poss simply turned and said “I am so, so happy mum”, pleased to have experienced it.
On the drive home, I committed that smiling, laughing girl to memory. She doesn’t come along often enough.
So plesaed to hear you had a wonderful weekend, and that you got to enJOY it!! ANd good on Poss for getting in there and giving it all a go…its not something you’d find me doing!loL! xx
She was so brave Jodie-Lee! I was so impressed with her!
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often
Such a beautiful, joy-filled post. This was the weekend you needed xxx
Caroline recently posted..Saying Goodbye to our House. Again.
Thanks lovely – I agree. It was like pressing the reset button.
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often
What a wonderful weekend! So glad you made that last minute decision, sometimes the risks are worth taking.
Dorothy @ Singular Insanity recently posted..Something for you, something for the kids – Giveaway time!
Thanks Dorothy – I agree, sometimes you just have to do it and worry about everything else later!
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often
I can only join the cheers for you overcoming your worries and doubts and going – and see the fun you had! Thanks for sharing those feelings with us though, as at times I feel stuck in this too. It’s true that they are not always comfortable with trying new things, and we get a bit more timid too, because we fear the meltdowns over failures, the possible fallout with little friends – and a day ‘spoiled’ for everyone… But at times, you have to push yourself and get up and GO (and it’s true, I never knew, had the impression you were rather active & social with Poss anyway..) do new things, or crazy fun things, just like anybody else does. Thanks for sharing
ps : on a sidenote , the dry remark on how car/petrol organisation problems are always a killer in the marriage department had me giggle as our last almost-blow-up happened during a spontaneous (!!) trip to Byron Bay (my husband’s idea) where it turned out half of Australia was there and was also looking for a parking spot (as predicted by me..).. we still had a great day though..
nikki recently posted..Thankful Thursday / Letting go of parental envy
Thanks Nikki – we try to get out as much as we can with Poss, and it gets easier as she gets older and we get further down the track with therapy. But the fear is always there…
I am so glad that I am not the only one that has frustrating silly spats with my husband! Glad you still enjoyed the day though x
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often
Awesome, just awesome xx
Thanks lovely – it truly was x
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often
beautiful read, it’s awesome when we find those moments. Especially for those that have to wait too long in between.
Mandy recently posted..Groupon, My husband and Me [Giveaway]
It’s been a long long time… So much sweeter when it happens x
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often
What a wonderful day! So glad you got to enjoy this experience together.
Thanks Bronnie – it was so lovely x
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often
What a fabulous weekend! Good on you for saying “yes”. I’m guilty of not saying “yes” to such things but we miss out on so much if we don’t. Glad to hear about the smiles and happiness all round. xx
I am trying to say yes more often… doesn’t always work, but I am trying…
Renee recently posted..She doesn’t come along often