“Have fun, boys! Text me photos everyday,” I reminded my husband as I dropped him and our son off at the airport last week.
They were off for a twelve day Alaska adventure to fish for salmon, a high school graduation gift to our son.
Unlike our trip to Italy a couple years ago when our daughter graduated, I decided to remain at home. Call me frivolous if you must, but an Italian cruise through the Adriatic Sea is more up my alley than roughing it in a remote fishing lodge in the Kenai Peninsula.
Slightly giddy, my thoughts raced at the endless possibilities of having the house to myself for twelve entire days!
I could eat whatever I want. (Cereal for dinner? Check!)
Go wherever I want.
Stay up as late as I want.
Do whatever strikes my fancy.
Well, guess what?
My first weekend home alone I pretty much did what I usually do on the weekends.
Worked out.
Chores around the house.
Went to the office for a couple of hours.
Watched some television. (I started rewatching “Burn Notice.” If you’ve ever watched the show, ladies, I don’t need to remind you that Michael Westen is HOT! And I’ve decided that Fiona Glenanne is my personal hero.)
And I still was in bed by 9pm.
At first I was disappointed in myself. I mean, come on! The entire house to myself and I stick to my same old boring routine?
But then, I realized that I shouldn’t be ashamed at all.
I should be thrilled that I love my life enough that I would choose to follow the same routine and patterns as a (an albeit temporary) ‘single’ woman.
I will say that a quiet house with lots of free hours did give me lots of time for self-reflection, however.
For example, I took an online quiz to discover my “spirit animal.”
Turns out that I am an owl.
Symbolic meanings for the owl are intuition, wisdom, discernment and the ability to assist others through confusing times.
Although the traditional meaning of the owl spirit is the announcer of death, you’ll be relieved to know that it’s more commonly thought of as the announcer of change or a life transition.
I suppose the owl is about right for me given my line of work after all. I do chat about death with clients though not in a morbid way.
As a practical optimist, I know that the estate and legacy planning we are doing with clients is deeply meaningful and significant for families. After all, who wouldn’t want to make their loved ones’ lives a little easier, less complicated, and less stressful during their time of grief?
In case you’re worried that I’ll stay a total recluse while my boys are gone, don’t be.
I do have a yummy dinner scheduled with a girlfriend after work in a few days and of course I get my social fix meeting with clients who I think of as extended family.
I’m curious to know what YOUR spirit animal is? You can search for the quiz online. Reply back and let me know if there are any fellow owls out there!
Kristen “Your Wise Owl” Marks
P.S. Need some help implementing your estate and legacy plan to make life easier for your loved ones and save them time, money, and headaches? Click here to schedule your Estate & Legacy Planning Meeting with one of us today.
