Always take pictures.

We went to the beach.  Good thing I took pictures because it feels like it was just a dream.

You know when you shouldn't go anywhere because you have no time, money, and just can't justify going?  Yeah, we went anyway because we needed it more than anyone could ever imagine.  We needed to be somewhere else where we could sit and listen to the ocean sloshing on the sand, or the loud obnoxious laughter of family members, and consume pizza with my sisters, and the kids playing so hard with cousins they hardly come up for air.  We needed to forget about the stinging pain in the pit of our stomachs when the thoughts of lifes stresses for just a few days.  We needed to cram our family of 5 into a smallish sedan and drive 11 hours just to catch this view...

I am not sure if down the road I will be happy with many of the decisions I made in my life, but I'm pretty sure I will have been happy to make spending time with my kids, husband, and family as often as I can.
I spend a lot of my time talking to people.  I love talking to my sisters and friends and so I make time for it.  I am a talker.  Much of what I say and people must think is "I didn't need to know that but thanks for telling me anyway..."   They humor me so much.  I complain about obnoxious TV shows my kids like to watch.  I obsess over music.  I talk about the crappy weather 9 months out of the year.  I exchange recipes, compare notes, and I really also try to just listen.  Connecting with people is one of the biggest needs that I have.  I get lonely if I don't.  I just feel bad for the people that have to pull out my meat-hooks when I'm being needy.  Have you ever noticed those people that you hardly know that want to tell you about their childhood, and process their deep thoughts when you bump into them at the grocery store?  Wow, I just came for some eggs and bread.  I knew I shouldn't have taken the aisle to adore the cookies.  Me of all people should know that this is the section that people bee-line to when they are in the throes of depression...
They are so desperate for attention that they pay no mind to your screaming child and your attempts to depart.  They just keep telling you about their problems, and by this time you are ready to just open up the Oreos and start eating.  Not that I would know from experience or anything.  But the worst part is after you have already said your fond farewells, and you bump back into them in the frozen food section.  Curses for even thinking about ice cream.  It's the drug of choice for the chronically stressed.  After another 20 minute therapy session by the Ben and Jerry's, you are contemplating the risk of being rude or faking a seizure to get away.

Again, not that I would know any of this from experience...

Where was I?  Oh yes, the beach.  It really is great therapy to go to one of your favorite places when life is too much.  I highly recommend it.  So to recap:  Laughter is the best medicine.  Thai Food also helps - oh did I not mention that?  Well, it is pretty magical.  Avoid the "drug aisles" at the store if you are not up for conversation.  When all feels lost, get in the car and go where you can make peace with your maker.