Crying over Milk and Cookies
An Epiphany from my Heart
Life is never as picturesque and perfect as the photos. Can I be honest? Family life with five children, though blessed beyond measure is better described as a dramatic comedy (or a horror film…blah)! Throw in homeschooling and you have a real-life tearjerker coming to a theater near you.
This past summer however, the Cotchery family set out to transform their film into the most dramatic fantasy like Chronicles of Narnia on steroids. We were actually going to take a true summer break. In reality though, we simply took a month off from home school. Never in the history of Cotchery Manor Day School have we ever, ever taken a full month off. So for us, this was revolutionary.
Our first adventure was a journey to our most favorite resort in Puerto Rico. We have ventured to this paradise many times before, but this time our experience was quite different. For the first holiday ever, we were all present in mind, soul, and body.
Story time in the most majestic tree house towering brilliantly in the air seemed to be the pinnacle of our voyage. We were surrounded by what seemed like a lush rainforest beautifully decorated with its very own pink pineapple garden.
I will never forget the moment I called from the states to reserve the tree house. This particular tree house, with all of its majesty and charm, is usually for massages, and even has an area exclusive for adult spa guests. I called with the pressures of the long, tough year upon me. But a kind woman answered and the gentle voice granted my special request to have my children have personal use of this incredible space.
This kind concierge even offered to include warm cookies and milk with our reservation. Although it was only cookies and milk, it brought me to tears. Maybe one shouldn’t cry over spilled milk, but I cried over milk and cookies.
The tears were enough to convince me that we all needed a break, a moment to simply be. This moment would begin our wondrous trip. So just like that, we put away our books and pulled out the fun. We felt free during the days of our stay. After our trip we continued with the fun, at our own home. We spent hours in the pool, watered our garden, rode our bikes, ate lots of ice cream, watched turtles, hugged, kissed, and frolicked the day away. Quite simply, we cultivated the wonder within us with a staycation after our vacation.
During my time off, as I basked in the sun, I was reminded to bask in the freedom that I have in the Son, Christ. Whether I am schooling or on the most magnificent vacation, I am free indeed. You and I were both called to be free. We must remain steadfast, and not let any yoke (whether it be homeschooling, or anything else) burden us. In this way, we can enjoy the freedom of the Son shining on us no matter where we are.