We are accustomed to imagine Jesus happy while we are doing our duty and, perhaps, while we are resting we find it more difficult. We lack imagination. It would be nice, these days, to learn to rest with the Lord, who offers physical and spiritual relief to those who are tired and burdened.
In summer we throw away the routine, the one that, during the year we try to fulfill well and also the one that, one gray and cold day made us feel chained. Vacation is to feel an inner peace from where I hear that I don't need to have all the answers.
Time to get rich
If I had to keep one idea of what vacations are for me, it would be enriching myself by doing "other things". During the year I do a lot of "cab driving" because I have to take my three children to extracurricular activities, Michele plays soccer, Marina does artistic gymnastics and Monica does modern dance. At the end of the year, I feel a certain relief.
If it were not for the vacations I would go crazy. People need to rest, change their environment, do new things, see other places.
Doing activities without looking at the hands of the clock: reading a new book, rereading another one I have already read, the sea, a friend, an ice cream, an improvised plan, going to a museum or to the movies, playing with my children. Paying attention to what you hear, we all know that hearing is not the same as listening. I can hear without listening. If I take time to listen to others starting with my husband, children and relatives, and also take time to think, I will not have wasted my time.
A good sign that I have lived them intensely is that, in September, I feel like going back to everyday life and my life seems wonderful. I feel that I am very lucky and that I am privileged in life because I have people who love me.
