As I drove to soccer today, on the 40 minute drive, Reilly and I have plenty of time to catch up. I should back up and say, we weren’t supposed to be going to soccer today, I was supposed to be on a flight to Denver at this exact time – but that’s another story for another day. And although it doesn’t make sense, I’ll throw it in anyway – there was a tornado in Adairsville and I was in Alpharetta yesterday. I’m thankful not today.

I believe since October I have been out for about 30 work days – most for work but a few for fun and a handful for when my Dad died – which felt so strange to type. I have been away A LOT for me, more than I have traveled in years – since I was about 25 and sans children and a husband and a mortgage (or 2). Anwyay,  I digress… about my chat with Reilly. He said “I know you have a lot of work and a lot of meetings. We have been with Dad a lot lately and not a lot with you. You have been gone so much and we really miss you. We like Dad but we miss you.” He said it very matter of fact then went on to say “Kate woke up this morning and ran into my room, she poked me and said “Reilly it’s late and no one woke us up” he looked at the clock and in a very me way told her to go back to bed. (LOL) She went into my room and found me sleeping there (I arrived home from Atlanta well after midnight and unexpected) she pounced on me and said MOM! Smiled. Kissed me and left the room. Reilly shared that she had run into his room and said “Mom is home!!!” (that felt good, but bad all at that same time) She came back in and said “it’s late” and I told her there was a 2 hour delay due to the ice. She climbed into bed with me but left again shortly thereafter to get ready for school.

Reilly told me that they like to have me around and would like it if I was around more because when it’s not Dad and me, it’s just not the same.

I thought it was awesome that he expressed himself so well. I thought it was incredible that he was presenting the view of all the kids – almost as though they had talked about it… which, they may have. I wasn’t totally sure what to do with it as I know I have some travel on the horizon, but not nearly as much. I told him that I appreciated him sharing all of that with me and I explained why I go away and what it means to my job and sometimes to me. I told him that I didn’t like leaving but in some ways it helps us as a family because it helps me do my job better.

He’s an amazing kid, as he replied by saying “I know, and we like it when you are here.” “It’s okay, that you have to go away… we just like it better when you are home.” I’m so impressed by him. He is a boy of amazing insight and intelligence. He has perspective and intuition at such a young age and in so many ways… he just gets things that it took me decades to figure out.

I love you Reilly Hansen!