Iced in

It's been an intriguing couple of days here. Due to incredibly inclement weather (tons of freezing rain), most of the city has been closed down. My day care center even closed down, and that's a first in the nearly 4 1/2 years I've been working there. I'm looking out my window at the ice-covered trees sparkling like diamonds in the frosty air. It is quite beautiful, although quite treacherous if you are driving. Most people aren't driving---many businesses and schools are closed. I haven't emerged from the house in two days--and spent all of yesterday in my jammies. We still have our power, plenty of food, and most amazingly---no Ian.

He has spent the last two nights at his caregiver's house as we deemed it too risky to drive and fetch him. So we have been experiencing an uncanny quiet here at the McGrew house. Really, it's very weird. Usually when we are sans Ian, we are on vacation--it is very rare that we have days in a row here at home without him. I can't get over the quiet (did I mention that it was uncanny?) I keep thinking "so this is how it would be if Ian were normal." I know that isn't the most productive thought in the world, and I try to squelch it. The danger is, I could really get used to this! But I can't allow myself to get used to this, because Ian will be back in a few hours and all the chaos and noise will come back too. I do find that I miss my little bug, and I will be glad to see him, but oh! The peace! The serenity! The lack of having to lock all the doors and cabinets and refrigerator! Most importantly, SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! That is the most lovely thing of all---to know that there is no need to get up frequently to check on Ian, to change his poopy diaper, to clean up any smearing, etc., etc. Really, it is bliss.

But how interesting the human heart---I miss my little man (well, not so little on the outside, but forever little on the inside), and look forward to giving him a big hug when he returns. Then it's back to the pterodactyl noises, the hyperactivity, the mess, the vigilance. But also there will be love. Lots and lots of love.

In the meantime, you can bet your life I'm soaking in the peace. And I'm STILL in my jammies. I just may make it to the shower---who knows? ;-)