My Boxing Day

When the kids ask me what I'd like for my birthday or Mother's Day or Christmas I always tell them what I'd really like is a day off. No cooking. No cleaning. No washing. No taxiing. No shopping. No household chores at all.

This year for Christmas, among other things, they gave me a day off.

It was pure bliss.

After the hustle and bustle of yesterday today was a day to slow down, sit back and relax.  And that's exactly what I did, courtesy of my Christmas present from the kids.

I had some DVDs to watch and a new book to read. Wayne had a new toy to play with and install in the car. AJ and Tom had things to do and Hannah was busy building a pin hole camera and listening to a new CD.

I did all of this amongst the paper and cardboard remnants of Christmas day, while nibbling on cold chicken and dips and pita chips and downing big glasses of icy cold ginger beer.

Today I didn't prepare a meal. I didn't wipe down a bench. I didn't wash a dish. I didn't tidy the lounge room. I didn't do any washing. I didn't even make our bed.

I was left alone to watch the DVDs I've been dying to watch for a month and read the book I've been wanting to read for ages. I pottered in the garden for as long as I wanted, without interruption. I had the whole day to do just what I wanted and climbed into bed tonight happy, contented and worn out from doing nothing.

So thank you my wonderful children. You knew I really needed a day off and you gave it to me, with a whole lot of love.

And it was beautiful.

I hope your Boxing Day was beautiful too.