It was a complete stroke of luck that I found myself with 45 glorious hours all to myself. I was initially set to drive my niece and her newborn to visit her dad, my brother-in-law, in Nashville. But plans shifted unexpectedly, leaving me with a rare opportunity for solitude. I canceled the dog’s grooming appointment, my 8-year-old was already at her other grandparents’, and I waved goodbye to my husband as he left for his business trip.
Suddenly, I felt like I had been handed a golden ticket. I was alone. Completely alone.
No one was around to call my name or ask where their socks were. I could indulge in binge-watching all the TV shows I desired, free from the constraints of kids’ programming. No more dodging episodes of Paw Patrol or SpongeBob SquarePants. I could leave the TV on all night, falling asleep to infomercials in the guest room, with a stash of snacks at my side.
Picture this: chocolate chip cookies stuffed with walnuts—the kind my daughter avoids—made just for me, and I could eat every last crumb without sharing. Dinner? Popcorn. Dessert? Cheesecake. I could watch NCIS on repeat, laptop in my lap, while lounging in pajama pants and a comfy tank top, no bra needed. Who cares what’s hanging out?
Dreams of endless chick flicks, long bubble baths, and sleeping until noon danced through my mind. For a 52-year-old who juggles raising an 8-year-old granddaughter, caring for my 85-year-old father next door, and managing a traveling husband, this was pure bliss.
Imagine being able to read a whole book without interruptions—no socks to find, no “Why?” questions bombarding me every few minutes. I started to plan my 45 hours like a military operation, pretending to feel guilty about being alone. I would miss my family terribly, of course, but I was determined to embrace this rare moment of freedom.
I envisioned catching up on sleep, waking up refreshed, and ready to take on the world. But I quickly realized that as much as I wanted to stay awake and enjoy every second, I would probably need some shut-eye.
Once I finally settled into my solitude, I kicked back on the couch with my laptop and tuned into my favorite Hallmark movies, ready to soak in the peace. But four hours later, I woke up with a dead laptop battery, a stiff neck, and a sudden urge to call my granddaughter to see if she wanted to come home early. After all, we had cookies to bake and a spa day to plan!
If you’re looking for insights into home insemination and parenting, check out this post we have. And for more information on fertility topics, here’s an excellent resource that covers IVF.
In short, my 45 hours alone turned into a delightful escape, filled with TV, snacks, and a little too much sleep. It was a much-needed break from the beautiful chaos of family life.