Lessons learned from a trip

Today was Recovery Day from The Trip. Trips are just Trips when you're a kid. I remember just looking forward to trips with excitement. The night before was hard to sleep because of the feeling of excitement and that's all it was - excitement. Once you're the adult, things are so so different. Not even related - different. Excitement? Not usually. I have no space in my crowded mind for excitement. There's so much Responsibility to take care of, so many thoughts of packing and lists and "Don't Forgets". Then there's all the anxiety of traveling: Will the car work the entire time? Will we all feel well the entire ride and not need to use the loo 500 times? Will we get there safely? Did everyone eat enough and is there enough food? Will the kids drive me crazy with their demands and questions for 3 hours straight?
Boruch Hashem, we are home safe and sound and all went well. There were so many different legs to the trip. There was the 3 hour car ride to Monsey, then spending Shabbos with the 'rents and the big brother from Israel. Then there was Motzei Shabbos with the Groysmans', previously from Seattle, relocated close to Monsey. Then the trip to Crown Heights, Brooklyn for the 'rents' Seudas Hodaah. (Mom's fall last May and Dad's Subarachnoid thingy, ask me for more details). Then the Seudah/party itself and then the visit to Boro Park with the Sister's Fam and then the long trip home at night.
I learned an important lesson. I am nothing. :)
Nothing depends on me and I do nothing to bring about results. (Oh gosh, has Seminary Girl's influence changed my entire blog? Life?!)
Each and every "leg" to the trip had expected results and then the outcome was either challenging or really, really nice. For example - Shaul and I expected Penina to be really kvetchy/clingy during the Party. We expected to be holding her and taking care of her for most of it. Surprise, surprise -- she was amazing! She played with her cousins, and I hardly saw her the entire time!
The first trip was 3 hours and we had about 5 bathroom stops. The last trip was 5 hours and we only stopped once. I could not have predicted that. The sister's house - was wonderful and relaxing. After being at the party for hours and some of the kids not getting along or tantruming, we expected the kids to be hungry/tired and want to just chill by themselves. But we promised them we'd go, so we went to visit before going home. It was really really nice! We got to relax, the kids enjoyed themselves and all got involved, even the one that sticks to my side and is not comfortable in strange places!
So I learned, not to expect anything. Which just teaches you that when things DO get tough, He's obviously behind it all, because same exact beginnings, can have majorly different outcomes.

Also, when you are not meant to see things - you just don't!! Last night I thought I left my important Penina Watcher at my parents' house. (That's the monitor screen that I use to spy on her.) It made me feel empty and unable to relax or sleep. I've gotten way too dependent on that thing. I looked everywhere, searched my suitcase from top to bottom a few times, and it wasn't there. This morning, I sat down near my suitcase to pick something up, and there it was, in plain sight. Strange, but true:)

Rochel Miriam's letter of persuasion

To: Mommy and Tatty (reprinted with permission)

REASONS WHY I SHOULD GET MY OWN ROOM:

*Me and Menucha Leah will probably stop fighting in our beds.
*It will probably be a treat to sleep with Menucha Leah. [Ed. Note: When guests come and they need to sleep together.]
*We will both have our own space.
*We will probably stop screaming at each other in the morning.
*It will probably prevent us from waking each other up.
*I don't think it would be too much work to move us.
*I think we would both be happy.
*Moshe Leib might not think he is the only one who has his own room. [i.e. be upset that he has no one to share with]