Daily Photo: Home Again

I've only been away from my children on my own three times - never for longer than two or three days.  I attended two school reunions and took one trip to visit family.  Each time, things were a little different when I returned.

Certainly, the children coped quite well without me - my husband takes great care of them and makes it fun.  But there is something different each time I return.  Last time, my younger son was quite upset with me and things took a few days to return to normal.  This time, when I departed I left a toddler and a preschooler and I seem to have returned to a little boy and a first grader.  They are noticeably older, more advanced, more independent, more mature.  Noticing this was at once both impressive and heartbreaking.

My five year old has made me promise that I will never again leave for more than one day and night.  After this experience, I have to agree.  I don't want to miss a moment!