Sam and His Peops:

One of the good things about being an older mother or as the doctor refers to me; “Of advanced maternal age” is that I had long full adult years prior to Sam’s birth. And there is no better place to be reminded of those years than in Seattle. I started my vacation 3 days earlier than Dave and Sam. For the first time since Sam’s birth, I struck out on my own and did all the stuff I used to do—watched a Mariner’s game, took a bike ride, went out to breakfast 5 Spot with Phyllis, BBQed with the East side gang, noshed beer and apps with Menace and Mike, and drank WAY too much in Shannon’s backyard.

It was fantastic. Good for me. And I figured I could make it up to Sam…Right?

When I got back home, Sam’s Aunt Lisa gave me some pictures of Sam hanging with his cousins. I was struck by the life my son has without me—wagon and wheelbarrow rides, sleepovers and hockey dress up. And then at the Science Center, a woman I didn’t know ushered Sam into the room, pulled off his coat, and said, “Oh Sam I know how much you like the bubbles.” Obviously there was nothing to make up to him. He’s been having long full toddler years with and without his mommy.