Letters for Ezra

Monday I picked up anxiety medication so that I am able to fly to Spain in peace. I have never been one to freak about flying or one to freak about going out of the country. I am however, one to freak about being apart from my partner in crime for two entire weeks. For the last nine years Ezra and I have not been apart for more than 3 days so this is both new and terrifying for both of us.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of those people who lives and breathes for their children to the point of insanity. Or maybe I am? You know those “holy shit” moments that you have as you grow older that remind you that even though you are a kid at heart you truly are an adult now? Like being extra excited about a new garden hose or dreaming of owning one of those fancy glass cake platters to display a perfectly frosted cake under? I guess picking up meds because you are experiencing separation anxiety over being away from your nine year old for TWO WHOLE WEEKS can be filed under that same “holy shit” category.

As I prepare for my trip, I have been brainstorming ways to ease some of the separation anxiety for both of us. The first thing I thought of was to put a picture of him on a stick so that he can be in some of the photos we take in Spain. He vetoed that idea immediately and told me I was sadistic.

Plan B was to surprise him with care packages and Joanna has agreed to spread them out through the mail during the weeks we are gone. Each package comes with a note and some of his favorite things.

Package number one contains gouda cheese, beef jerky, and zots:

Dear Ezra,
When you get this we will be in Spain. You are very brave to be away from your parents for such a long time and are doing a fantastic job. We thought we would send you some cheese to get you through. We hope that you are having a great time at Ryder’s and we miss you already.

Love ,

Mom and Michael

Package two contains a sporty beanie baby and some mad libbs:

Dear Ezra,

My name is Sporto. I am here to keep you company while your parents are away! Your parents are doing fine and they would like you to know that you are missed.

Sincerely,
Sporto

Package three (the contents are self explanatory)

Dear Ezra,

These are some of my favorite things to do on hot summer days. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I did when I was your age:

popsicle makers
kool-aid (to put in the popsicle makers)
books
coupons to dairy queen (for dilly bars)

I hope you know that I think you are amazing and I love you very much!
Love,
Mom

See?! I told you I really AM an adult with a garden hose and a kid that I adore to a fault! And maybe one day I will even have that glass cake platter that I have always dreamed of….