Freedom on Captiva

Sometimes getting away from it all is exactly the right prescription.

When Michael called to reveal his plan for Tracey’s surprise birthday getaway, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. For me.  Selfish, I know. I kept reminding myself, “This is for Tracey’s birthday, not yours.” Yet, I couldn’t help feeling that I had received a gift.  We all did.

As mothers and professionals, the opportunity to shut out the everyday world and not WORRY about everyone else and all their stuff was a gift beyond measure.  Add to that the fun factor of not knowing where we were going, and it became an adventure!

From the minute we left, we knew no matter where we ended up, we would have a great time.  As we traveled further West and South, I will admit we did a little happy dance because we knew we were headed toward sunny shores somewhere.

Once *captive* on the island, we were free to explore: our beautiful home for the weekend, trails down to the beach, the sleepy shops on the island, our own pool and hot tub.  No place we had to be, no time we had to be there.   It was paradise.  Being able to freely explore, to take in new sights, try new foods, do new things was good for our creative souls.  As was the time to talk and share and encourage and laugh.

An important part of living a creative life is learning to wedge-squeeze-cram your writing, your painting, your photography, your sculpture or whatever your art may be, into the overfull cacophony that fills each day.  I do this well at times, pathetically at others.  Having four days when I did not have to ask one person, “Did you brush your teeth?” even once, or any of the other ten thousand processes mothers must manage on a daily basis, freed up some mental space.  And, yes, I managed to write some.

Now, it’s time to get back to the real world.  Will you pass me that crowbar?