living the dream - The Modern Nomads

After four days of driving, we have FINALLY arrived in New England! Tonight we go to sleep in Connecticut…but oh the day we’ve had! Our original plan was to go straight from Hagerstown, Maryland to Hartford, CT., which would been about a 5 hour drive.

However, about 3 hours in, we realized that we would only be 20 miles from New York City. Originally, I didn’t want to fight the traffic, but I knew I would regret not allowing the girls to experience at least part of the city. They are fascinated with the Rockettes and often talk about seeing where they “live.” So, in a moment of weakness (or genius), we headed into Manhattan. OH. MY. GOODNESS!! I am SO glad we went. My girls got to see the Hudson River, Financial District, Radio City Music Hall, go around and around and around in a spin door (think Elf), drive through Central Park, and a NYC hot dog stand. The minute I got the girls out and we began walking hand-in-hand across a busy NYC street, I literally squealed like a little girl. In a small, but real, way, I felt like this mama’s dream was coming true. I’ve anticipated the day I could take my girls to one of my favorite cities, and today it happened. Granted, it was only about 30 minutes, but it was one of those moments I’ll never forget.

Once again, the Lord taught me something about myself. I used to be spontaneous and loved to do crazy things, but, as a mother, I have changed. I tend to be afraid to get our kiddos out of their routine, and when I do, I worry that it won’t go well. Therefore, I often choose the known for the unknown. Today, I was reminded of how much I will miss (and therefore my children will miss) if I don’t, at times, throw caution to the wind and just go for it. Yes, we ended up getting to our hotel 2.5 hours after we originally planned. But, it was worth EVERY minute. The girls loved talking to their grandmothers while IN the city they had previously only heard about. They loved seeing the Rockettes “home.” They loved imagining and dreaming about the day I bring them back. (For two years, I’ve promised we would go to the city for their high school graduation trip.) And, most of all, they loved stepping out of the norm and doing something different.

I want to encourage you planners, like me, dare to be spontaneous. Dare to step outside of y0ur norm and do something new. You may just discover that it was exactly what you needed.