Me-cation

Background: Me-cation is a vacation centered around and only involving me.

I know I’ve read the passage about the Proverbs 31 woman and felt like I could never measure up. But now that I have a family, and I take into account all the things I do during a day, I see myself as a woman on a mission, just like her. When your days consist of work, encouraging others, feeding your family, and passing a Rice Krispy Treat or leftover chicken nuggets to the homeless guy on the corner while on your way to a t-ball practice, just to name a few, I think its ok to compare myself to the P31.

But I wonder. Back in those times, did you ever get to go on a vacation? Not the kind where everyone packs up their things, pile in the family vehicle and go visit distant family or famous monuments. I wonder if the husband ever sent his P31 to go visit her mom or sister, by herself? Just time for herself? Nowadays, many people don’t get an opportunity to vacation, and you can forget about taking one apart from your family. That business trip that your job sends you on for a few days is as close to a Me-cation as you can get.

I was reading a message on Facebook about an event that happens every year, but I never go. Not because I don’t want to, but because of the responsibility of family. Well, I took a bold step. I typed in the message that I was finally going to attend this event. In my line of work, if you don’t write it down, it never happened.  Well, I typed something to other people, its official, I have to go. I told my husband of my intentions to go, by myself, and he was in agreement. So that settles it, I’m going on a Me-cation. Its not a trip with an agenda or goal (although their will be events to attend, I can do them at my leisure), the only time frames I have to abide by are my flight schedules. I get to sleep in a bed all by myself and I only have to be concerned about me. Oh how blissful this will be.

In a family, it’s our duty to take care of one another, and after making the decision to take this Me-cation, I realized that the other people you live with and care for day in and day out don’t always know what it is that you need in order to keep running, so don’t expect them to just surprise you with a Me-cation. They have to first be introduced to the idea, and then they will know what is on your heart. Same thing when it comes to gifts. The only way your husband will now you dislike a certain thing that he buys you is by telling him that although you feel his love, this gift isn’t really to your liking. A little harsh? I don’t think so, keep it real, keep it honest, and everyone lives in freedom.

So if you are feeling rundown, don’t want to get to the point of being rundown, or you just want to getaway, talk with your family about a Me-cation. It may be a trip to visit a friend, or a stay at a local hotel, or in my case a long awaited trip to homecoming. Vacations are vitally important for families, but time to yourself will extend your years and your physical and mental health. Plan your Me-cation today.

Proverbs 31: 10-31