My daughter convinced me to go on vacation to the seaside: “All inclusive, Mom, you won’t have to do a thing.” I paid for the tickets myself. Upon arrival, I discovered I’d be staying with my grandchildren, while she and my son-in-law would be in a different building.

I just went to my room and took a shower.

 

This time just to freshen up.

 

That evening we had dinner together for the first time.

 

Mark told the story of the sandcastle, Sofia showed us some shells she found on the beach, and Anna asked me what I thought about the trip.

 

He really listened to my answer.

 

It was a short, ordinary conversation. Nothing out of the ordinary.

 

But I realized that my daughter no longer took my presence for granted.

 

For the rest of the week, the children spent the mornings with me and then went back to their parents.

 

Sometimes we went to the swimming pool together, and other times I read them fairy tales in the shade of the palm trees.

 

But now I also had time for myself.

 

One day, Sofia, on her own initiative, asked if she could sleep with her mother and stayed with her.