I know a lot of people who don’t like to spend time alone. I am not one of those people. In fact, I find that I need a certain amount of time alone. And I’m pretty sure that the last time I spent a whole night alone, I was in my 20’s.
Since I became a mother 20 years ago last Tuesday (Happy Birthday Cecily!), I have spent very little precious time alone. And though I love my husband and children, and I will forever be grateful to be a wife and mother, sometimes I find myself wishing they would all go away … for just one night.
Does this make me a horrible wife and mother? Maybe. But, whatever.
When I got out of bed at 6:15 this morning, there were 8 people in this house: my husband, my 4 kids, my mother-in-law, and our helper. And now, a mere 13 hours later, there is no one here but me. And I don’t plan to see another human being until tomorrow around noon.
I’m giddy with excitement!
Where are they all you ask? Well, our helper is home with her family; Jason, my mother-in-law, and my girls are driving to Cape Town; and my boys are in Johannesburg for school functions. My boys should be home around noon tomorrow and then the three of us are hopping on a plane to Cape Town to meet up with the rest of the bunch.
When I told my friend Amy that I would be spending an entire night alone in the house, she wondered if I would be a little afraid. NOPE!!! I live in Fort Knox, for heaven’s sake! I honestly don’t see how a mere human could get through all the layers of security that surround my house. I’m feeling pretty safe.
One night of this is all I need. I’m sure that tomorrow night I’ll be glad to be reunited with the whole gang at our rental home at Camps Bay in Cape Town. And I’m looking forward to waking up again next to my husband again on Sunday morning. But for now, I’m in my pjs and fuzzy pink robe, enjoying the sweet, sweet sound of silence.
And it’s heavenly!
Six Abroad 
Dear Erin,
Just so you don’t feel like a horrible mother I will witness to your joy of being alone. Last August I spent three weeks away from my family on business. The first week and a half I felt guilty for the joy in the silence, the peace of not having to cook for anyone and the comfort of just being me. Eight weeks later when I was doing it all over again in a different hotel room it wasn’t near as much fun. But I believe that it is necessary every twenty years or so.
Sharolyn
Enjoy with no guilt!
You make me laugh as usual. Thanks for your great blog, it has inspired and entertained our family on so many occasions. Your posts have just the right mix of humor and philosophizing!! I am waiting for you to write a book so that I can say I know a famous author.