There are three parts of vacation that make it really special: anticipating the upcoming fun, experiencing the events as they unfold, and reflecting on what it all means. Now, looking back on this past weekend, my heart is full. It’s good to be home. It’s good to see my sweet Luna and my sassy Fancy. It’s good to be back in my own bed. But my mom had this vacation planned for months, and it was exactly what our family needed—a simple getaway at the lake for a few days without any deadlines or demands. Just a whole lot of fishing, boating, canoeing, and swimming. Wildlife greeted us around every corner, including tame deer, a hungry snapping turtle, kamikaze Asian carp, a dock cat named Skittles, and my brother’s lucky guess of pelicans invading the Midwest. We had mountains of homemade meals and buckets of tasty drinks. S’mores around the firepit and laughs around the poker table. And even a little sushi on the way home to Missouri. Like I said, it was nothing elaborate, but my mom put a ton of work and money into it, and the rest of us sat back and recharged our spirits. I mean, there’s just something about being around loved ones who just “get” you, ya know? Even now, as I prepare to return to work, I’m optimistic. I’m reminded of the people and things I work for. I appreciate that work. I’m actually excited about it again… even if I might catch myself daydreaming about the lake every once in a while.