Last weekend, I got some blissful R&R with my mom and two of my sisters, Lisa & Melanie, at a 'Time Out for Women' conference. This was the first time TOFW has come to our area so we anxiously bought tickets, booked an overnight hotel room and spent some quality girl time together. The theme was 'Sweet Assurance' and that it was. Among others, we heard excellent, inspiring talks from Wendy Nelson, Sheri Dew, an incredible and hilarious woman named Kris Belcher, and absolutely beautiful music from violinist Jenny Oaks Baker. We laughed, we cried, my mom & I discovered the 3 a.m. wonder of slow motion dance, programming for insomniacs, and the four of us had a wonderful two days together. It made me thankful for my testimony of the gospel and the purpose and assurance it gives me in life, as well as the good women I love and get to make the journey with.
When we first arrived and were waiting for the program to begin, we wondered why there's no such thing as "Time Out for Men." We chuckled and made jokes about a bunch of men gathering together to laugh and cry and take notes...and how it seems so much easier for men to compartmentalize, watch a football game, and turn off the stressful things in their lives when they need some time out. But is that enough? It seems to be, yet I think of my man who is has sooo much on his plate right now--even just this week. The two of us are the guest speakers at YW in Excellence tonight, he's teaching (for the first time) two classes tomorrow and Friday for the BYU Executive MBA program, he's under extreme pressure at the company he's been with for 2 1/2 months, he's in the final stages of a new position with a different company with the final interview tomorrow after BYU, and he is continually, seriously, running to stay on top of his church responsibilities, all while pulling off good fathering and husband-ering. I am CERTAIN he could use some real time out--only I doubt he'd choose it with the men in his life. Sure, he loves time to golf or watch a football game, but what amazes me about him is that coming home to the life that I sometimes need a time out from, is often as much time out as he needs. I don't know how he does it, but I gotta give him props. And arrange some real time out for him someday soon.
7 comments:
sounds like a blast.
We can't wait to see you all soon. Hopefully we will get a little face time with RICK.
Yeah, I know what you mean about your man having too much on his plate! He does deserve a time out! Especially if he was the one to keep things running at your house while you took your time out!
I always love your posts, Tracy!! I've been to Time Out several times and it is such a spiritual and emotional boost. Especially when you get to go with women you love!
It really was great. Being there with some of my sisters and mom made it so much more of an experience to me.
OH I am sooo jealous!! I so want to go to tofw!!! We have plans to go in Atlanta next October. CAN not wait!!!!
I never thought about it that way before, but you're exactly right. All the time out Brian seems to need is the exact thing I need a time out from. You helped me realize how lucky we are that it works out that way.
Beautifully said, Tracy. I am a Time Out fan and alumni several times over myself. But having two days with your mom and sisters??? I've never been able to do that -- what a blessing.
Keith was saying on Sunday, as he gazed out our back windows towards the mountains, that there have to be plenty of caves up there that "a man could get lost in for a few weeks". Hmmm. Maybe we should plan a time out for both of them . . .
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