Harper has been having a hard time lately. She tells Andy and me over and over again, "I don't like it when people leave." Those are words she cries during the night wakings that have reemerged, and before we drop her off at school or leave her with a babysitter. It is heart-breaking. I understand what she is saying and why she is saying it. Other than Andy, Reid and me, she doesn't have anyone else who is a consistent and regular presence in her life. Within the last few months I have gone back to work and she has been away from me more than ever. The mommy guilt is overwhelming. I wish I could explain to her that we bought OHCO so that she can have a great life, the amazing opportunities and flexibility it will bring to us as a family to have a family owned business and for her future and that ultimately, we expect owning OHCO to give us the opportunity for more quality family time, less time with babysitters. But obviously that is a little much for a 4 year old to comprehend. So we stumble on, trying to make the best of it.
Yesterday was a particularly rough drop-off at school. A long-time friend of mine flew through Chicago and took an extra day to spend time with us and she and I had plans to head into the city for a girls day out. Harper was so sad when I left her at camp, she knew Beth and I were off to the city and she kept repeating that same phrase. So I went back home, did the things I needed to do and then Beth and I surprised her at camp to pick her up and take her on an adventure in the city. We had an adventure- a boat tour, lunch at a fancy restaurant and a trip to the top of the Willis Tower. We talked a lot and she really seemed to have a new understanding by the end of the day and went to camp today a much happier girl. Once in awhile, you just have to break out of the routine and have an adventure.
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