Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Traveling for my job has become more and more frequent these days.  In my younger days, I used to consider myself a ‘jet setter’…flying off from city to city, to take on the latest, new assignment.  My mother seasoned me for constant movement, never staying in one place for too long.  I was always at the ready for the next new and exciting career opportunity.  It was my life for years and I thrived on it.  But, as we all know, everything changes when you have a family.   Being away from my husband and daughter is difficult, but I feel comforted in knowing she’s in great hands with her Daddy.  He does not struggle one bit with caring for her solo.  He’s able to give her structure consistently without Mommy throwing things off course 🙂  Sometimes she may not even realize my absence while she’s busy with school, gymnastics or weekend play dates.  I will not lie.  I secretly wish that she misses me when I’m gone.  But my husband reassures me that she does.  On the upside, my trips are always tranquil and very productive, as I catch up on several projects.  But as I board the plane for home, I start to feel pleasantly anxious with butterflies in my stomach, imagining my little girl running into my arms as I exit the airport.  Suddenly I feel ‘whole’ again.  Nothing will ever compare to the feeling of your child’s arms wrapped around you as she showers your cheeks with kisses.  Travel will always be part of my job…but it sure makes coming home so absolutely blissful.