LESSON FOURTEEN

Objective

Get Out of Dodge

Example

It's desperate to use a doctors visit as an excuse for a vacation you can't afford.

It's probably almost sick...like a Munchhausen vacation. But beggars can't be choosers. Isabel has had some mystery ailment for almost a year now, one that has left our local doctors puzzled and has finally resulted in our being sent to the great mecca of Saint Louis for a specialist. I was both relieved and frustrated to be taking this step. Relieved because I just want Isabel to get better, frustrated because we couldn't afford it.

Thank God for Priceline...it's like legalized gambling with a guaranteed prize. Usually I just put in some ridiculously low figure and end up overpaying for a 2 1/2 star hotel...and this time was no different. But still I feel vindicated getting a mediocre hotel room at a discount.

Now the only hurdle I had to jump was how to integrate a Momdad weekend into a vacation. There is nothing that brings out the harried, short tempered, over scheduling, money pinching, fun-killing mother in me like a car trip far away with four children. I become Kate Gosselin on a bad day. But this time I was determined to do it...to Let Go while going to the doctors, sitting for hours in a small space together, finding our hotel using only one way streets headed in the opposite direction, and walking around the city, all without the help of mind altering substances.

It only took me eight hours to pack enough food, changes of clothing, and car games to make the overnight trip and we were on our way, picking up Fallon's best friend for added value. Miraculously the baby slept, the kids were interested in the scenery, the teenagers agreed to let me listen to REM and the Chili Peppers, we didn't run out of food the first hour,...and...now this is really beyond belief... and you will probably never listen to another word I say...but nobody had to stop to pee.

So we actually made it to the doctors on time. The appointment took all of 45 minutes where the doctor, no doubt an expert even though he looked to be about 100 and didn't understand a word I said, assured me that Isabel was just reacting to stress and that we should try to have more fun.

Are you freaking kidding me?!

"We are a pretty upbeat fun little family" I told him.
I must have spoken to his deaf ear. "I'm sure you can work something out" he told me. Nowhere in there was a suggestion as to how we might relieve her stress, just the implication that I was nurturing a little bundle of nerves and probably making it worse. But I didn't act like a mom...oh no...I just let it all roll off...I didn't defend myself or yell "WTF?". I just nodded and kept my opinions to myself and walked out of there more determined than ever to have fun (As it turns out one of her tests came back positive for Celiac's disease so Stress that MoFo.)

Outside in the sun...a vactioney sort of sun...a city sun..a we're not in Kansas anymore sort of sun, I really was able to let it go. Something about being out of your own environment, free from the familiar rules and rituals, allows for an experience that is somewhat surreal. It seemed like instead of being as difficult as coming out of rehab and trying not to drink in all the old familiar places, it was going to be easier to Momdad here away from home.

I fastened my tribe back into the minivan, cranked up the music, and slid over to our hotel smooth as cream, ready to dump all our emergency food on the floor of the room and hit the pool.

Homework

Get away, get far away from all those routines that keep you from experiencing your day. Step out of your circle and Let Go.

Extra Credit

Accept that everything will be alright one way or another. Remember that it always is.