What's In A Family.....

What's In A Family.....?

I haven't blogged in awhile--okay--it's been forever. Many of you know that life has changed for me recently, in a big way. I landed an awesome job in New York, and had to leave my husband and 2 daughters half-way across the United States for, hopefully, only a short time. This plan was well-thought out, and seemed life an excellent plan to properly rent out our townhome in MN, keep Josh working, and giving the girls some stability with Joy, all while I put 110% of my efforts into building my practice in a hospital. This was a great plan until my heart caught up with my head.....

It's now been 10 days since I've seen those little cuties, and a part of me is just plain empty. I've talked to them on the phone, I look at pictures of them every night before I drift off to sleep, and every morning before I roll out of my lonely king-sized bed, Josh keeps me up-to-date with their crazy stories, and I get an occasional picture, if my ridiculous T-Mobile service ensures the delivery of a MMS text. But--I don't think any of you can comprehend how much I miss those silly faces, those chubby little cheeks, the squeezes, the slobbery kisses, and yes, even the poopy diapers and back-talking, sassy, almost-4-year-old. You see, I've come to learn that these are the things that keep us going..... I'm used to being away from them on a daily basis, and my job has me traveling several times a year, but there is no substitute for seeing those little angel faces every night. It somehow just makes your day, and your life, complete.

I know I'll get through this. I've become a strong, independent person capable of doing whatever I tell myself to do. But don't think, even for a minute, that this is a small feat, or something I would recommend. I'm spending my days preparing the way for my family, putting efforts into building my practice in just the right way, working out, and lamenting on the value of what's in a family.....

Take the time today to tell those around you how much they mean to you, how much you love them, and what they are in a family to you. I certainly will, with 17 hours of distance separating me and those precious little cupcakes....if my cell phone reception can handle it from the depths of my creepy dorm room!