My daughter bowls me over, again and again.

She and I went to the beach this weekend, just the girls because I needed a break and we hadn’t spent any time together, alone, in a long time. The weather was perfect. We found ourselves on this odd schedule of up at 5:30 a.m. and then eating lunch at 10:30 a.m.; dinner at 4. We zonked by about 7 p.m. The sea was calm; the beaches empty; the warmth not sufficating.

One thing was wrong, we just couldn’t get over missing out little guy, Addison. Bringing this little guy anywhere is tons of work. And, the break was worth it and I didn’t pine so much as to miss out on the beauty and tranquility around me.

But, it was just so quite. We never took down his little plastic pool which hung sadly 1/2 inflated on the patio.

My daughter missed him so much, it really surprised me. She took his picture off the shelf and said we had to have it with us the whole time. Several times she broke into tears. I was so touched by her love for her brother. The two of them are such a pair, I think siblings are more influence on us than we realize. I can’t imagine traveling again without, but realize it is a necessary part of my sanity - his extra needs do get overwhelming.

My daughter insisted we get home early so she could see Addy. We did. And when we got home, she left me to all the unpacking and spun up the stairs to find him. After five minutes she left to go play with her friend. Kids.