During ‘Spring Break’ I was supposed to be in Mexico.

It was a trip which had been planned months in advance with a group of friends who I would best describe as people I wouldn’t mind being stranded on an island with.

But life has a funny way of dealing us a hand when we feel we have the best laid plans. They took the trip, my guy and I stayed back.

To say that I was not disappointed would be a lie. The older I get, the more I realize how fragile life is. Moments of relaxation and quality time with those we love, well there don’t seem to be nearly enough. A tropical vacation seemed the perfect opportunity to place “adulting” on hold and recharge a bit.

Thanks to supportive parents, my duo was to stay with their grandparents as we jetted off for some R & R. That didn’t happen either.

Adult decisions are never easy, but yet necessary. The details of our “why” are insignificant for this piece. The lesson, however, now that became something special.

As the week’s trip drew closer, I began coming to terms with this just might not be our time to travel across the border. As hurdles presented themselves and we took them each in stride, another seemed to appear. Recognizing the reality which may (and did) play out, I began doing what I learned from an early age – go to Plan B.

My vacation time had been approved, my children would be on spring break and well, with one almost 15 and the other almost 12 the reality of their “growing up” is not lost on me. Staycation plans began to creep into my brain as I hoped for the best and made peace with either plan.

Weather also happened to play out in our favor making local day trips budget friendly as well as easy to obtain. In short, I returned to work the Monday following my last minute “staycation” with co-workers displaying looks of shock at learning indeed I’d never actually left.

What I learned was really quite simple, yet valuable at the same time – we don’t have to leave to relax.

I’ve had to reread that a few times, why is that so hard for the mind to grasp? Not sure. I do know however it is the absolute truth because I lived it.

I did so, though, with a few commitments once learning I would remain stateside.

There was no checking e-mail, popping by the office for “one quick thing,” or text communication which was work related. I also made a point to not solidify plans until the night before they were to be executed. This helped us maintain a true live in the moment mindset. That was fun.

Fortunately in addition to the Mexico trip, I had also pre-planned a trip to Monterey for a race, with my family in tow. So our final three days did include a getaway.

All in all the 10 days of events ended as all successful vacations do, longing for a bit more time. Mexico, you were missed, but the sun still set and I’m grateful to have witnessed its beauty.

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 847-3021.