This past Winter Break I ended up with some alone time as my wife and younger son went to Japan and my older one, 16, stayed home to be with his friends and his girlfriend. I went alone to the mountains to ski. I used to be able to bring my dog, Simon, but the place where I stay has begun enforcing archaic HOA rules forbidding dogs of guests. So, instead of a warm, furry body next to me, I had the cold sheets and my wandering mind for company.
I learned, during the hard days of my divorce, when I was still getting used to being single again, how to be alone. It may have been the best lesson of that difficult period. If you don’t like yourself, why should you expect others to like you? It’s corny, but it’s true.
There are good and bad aspects of being alone, if you’re part of a family unit, as I am now. The good is not having to answer to anyone. I did what I wanted, when I wanted, how I wanted, exactly the way I wanted. I ate whatever and whenever, too. I even got control of the remote! I also could spend countless hours on the computer with no one getting upset.
The bad is simple. I missed my wife, my boys, and my dogs. And, I don’t care how much I get to do what I want, including all the burping and farting the high altitude inspires; I’d rather have them with me. But, what do I know; I’m just a (needy) guy.
