In a perfect world....

I think one thing that every parent needs is time. Time for themselves, time for each, time to relax, time to regenerate, time.
Last February, we went to Victoria to visit Richard's only relatives living here in Canada. Richard's uncle and aunt (who are some of the most wonderful people who'll ever meet) have three daughters (beautiful, talented, smart and super nice). The two older girls are married to wonderful husbands and the oldest has three super cute, super great kids.
Richard's uncle and aunt give to their oldest daughter and husband the gift of time every Saturday. All three children, who are 3 months, 6yrs & 13yrs, spent the Saturday overnight with their grandparents. What a gift. Richard's cousin and her husband get to spend good quality time with each other. It's an evening where they can go out without frantically trying to search out a babysitter. Their evening also doesn't have a time limit. No worries. How wonderful would that be.
The kids get the gift of bonding and really knowing their grandparents, of knowing they are 100% worth any effort and/or lack of sleep that may come. Richard's uncle and aunt get the gift of their precious grandchildren, of a special bond that will forever enrichen the lives of these children.
What a gift. Everybody wins.
I would love one day to hear the words "relax, have fun, enjoy yourselves, don't worry, come back only when you're ready". Of course, we do appreciate the help we get and when you're going to have a couple of 12 yr olds babysitting, you know its going to be an early night.
I really wanted to just express how beautiful it is what Richard's uncle and aunt are doing. Just beautiful and they really look forward to the kids coming over and they hate having to miss any Saturday for whatever reason. Beautifully wonderful, just like they are.
In a perfect world, I would like that for myself, however, I will put my mild jealousy aside :) and pledge that when my children become parents, as long as I am healthy enough of course, I will give them the gift of time. Richard and I have discussed this already and we would be more than delighted to do the same thing his uncle and aunt are doing.