I woke up this morning to yet another blanket of white covering the neighborhood. Frankin was quiet as I traveled into town to sit at the bakery, which is uncharacteristicly empty today. I got to drive my Jeep here in four-wheel-drive and that makes me feel like a superhero. This winter has delivered the most snow I’ve seen in Franklin since Jennifer and I moved here sixteen years ago. I love it but Jennifer is miserable and Hutch is bored. I wish I was in Pennsylvania where my family is digging out from almost four feet of fresh powder. Last week my Mom sent me photographs of what used to be our back deck. It’s now dissappeared under soft dunes of white.

Fortunately the snow didn’t start until yesterday and our babysitter was able to get to the house on Saturday so Jennifer and I could go away for our Valentine’s Day “trip”. We traveled to a hotel in Cool Springs, about seven miles from our house in Franklin, for our getaway. We arrived and checked-in at three, watched a movie on tv, then went to dinner and out to another movie. We ate mostly chocolate and cheesecake and fell asleep reading books and magazines. In the morning we slept until nine and stayed in bed until eleven-fifteen then drove back home. It was no-pressure and that was special. I love my kids enough to die for them, but I need to be away from them at times. Jennifer said last night that we can actually “see” eachother when we’re alone together.

It occurred to me as Hutch and I showered this morning that I feel a little refreshed today, even after just a short time away. I realized that a“getaway” doesn’t have to be far away and for a long time. It can be just a night in town, or a movie, or a walk in the woods. I woke today more inspired and was even more patient with Hutch as he covered the shower with shaving cream, and he was more patient with me when I told him he had to clean his room and get dressed before he played Wii.

Everything is better after rest.

Have a peaceful week,
Jeromy