“My Big Girl Panties”
Monday morning began like any other. Chris kissed me goodbye and headed off to Grundy. I stayed in the warm bed wishing I could sleep in, but instead I got up and proceeded with the usual routine. Four kids up and ready, teeth brushed, backpacks packed and out the door. I dropped everyone off at their appointed locations and suddenly the day changed from ordinary to really unordinary.
I drove to the airport, by myself. Boarded a plane, by myself. And headed off to the big city. I have never flown alone. I have never been to the city alone. Surprisingly, I was not scared or concerned. I tried hard to look like an ordinary traveler amongst all those “professional” travelers with their ipads and cell phones. I am not sure I fit in, but I gave it my best shot. I got a cab and gave direction to my hotel. After I checked into my hotel, by myself, I went to my room and the thought suddenly occurred to me….. “I think I am really a big girl now”. I laughed out-loud and determined that I am perfectly capable and competent to wear “big girl panties” everyday, if I choose to.
And so in my mind, having a husband, kids, a job and a house did not cause me to cross the bridge into real adulthood, but this experience did. What an enlightenment!
Tomorrow is going to be another new experience. I am taking the train and metro to the airport. When my plane lands I will drive home. There I will assume my ordinary life, which I am quite fond of, but it doesn’t always require “big girl panties”.
