Careful What You Wish For
For over a decade, weekends were anything but restful. With Emily and Ali, now 14 and 10, Saturdays and Sundays were a whirlwind of soccer games, birthday parties, and overlapping commitments. There were moments when I’d think, If only I could get an hour to myself… Whether it was catching up on work, tackling a project, or imagining I had time for a hobby, quiet time was a rare luxury.
Fast forward to the first weekend of the new year, and I got what I’d wished for—silence.
A Quiet Weekend
The weekend started like most others. I woke up early(ish) around 6:30 a.m., and the house was silent. That wasn’t unusual. By 9:00 a.m., Caroline had left to work out and run errands, and the girls were still upstairs sleeping—again, nothing out of the ordinary.
I spent the morning working in the quiet house, making progress and catching up after the chaos of the holidays. It felt productive. But as the clock struck noon, I realized I was alone. I had lunch… alone. That wasn’t normal.
Finally, around 1:00 p.m., the girls made their grand entrance, and Caroline arrived home around the same time. I asked, “What’s the plan for the day?”
Ali had back-to-back practices followed by a playdate (which, for the record, I think she’s too old to call a “playdate,” but I let it slide). Emily was heading to the mall with friends (yes, the mall is still apparently “a thing”). By 6:00 p.m., the girls were back home, but Caroline and I had a date night planned, so we left shortly after.
And just like that, the day was gone, and I’d barely spent any time with my kids.
Mixed Emotions
I’d spent years longing for a quiet moment, but when it finally came, I felt conflicted. While I enjoyed the silence and the chance to catch up on work, I found myself missing the chaos of shuttling kids between activities and sitting on the sidelines at games.
This quiet day was a reminder that we’re entering a new chapter. The windows of time with my daughters are getting smaller, the moments fewer. Bonnie Raitt’s words echo in my mind: “Life gets more precious when there’s less of it to waste.”
A Theme for 2025: Being Intentional
As the pace of life changes, I’ve decided to embrace a new theme for 2025: being intentional. With less time together, it’s more important than ever to make the moments we do have meaningful.
This applies to every aspect of life—family, work, and everything in between. It’s about doing the right things, at the right time, with the right people.
- For family: I want to focus on appreciating the moments we have now, even if they look different from the past.
- For work: It’s about prioritizing impactful actions and meaningful connections.
The goal is simple: to continue cherishing the moments, embracing this chapter of life, and making the most of what’s left of it.
Final Thoughts
The quiet weekend reminded me to be careful what I wish for. While I might have once longed for alone time, I now understand the value of the chaos I used to take for granted. Life is about balance, appreciating the quiet while still embracing the noise that makes it meaningful.
As I move forward into this new chapter, I hope to savor each moment—big or small—and remember that time is precious.
Here’s to making 2025 a year of intention, presence, and purpose. And, as always, remember to keep chasing excellence.