Prescription: Run away from Christmas

One wonderful little-discussed season secret is that so many of us get to legitimately run away. It’s called vacation and tons of Americans do it. I think it‘s a chance to run away without permission or guilt. Most years, my husband and I hop in a car, sailboat, train or plane Christmas morning and disappear for a mini vacation. We take longer breaks at other more convenient times. Sometimes we sail (my favorite). We go somewhere that doesn’t involve hours of travel and try to choose someplace relaxed. One year it was Miami (yes, you can relax in Miami), one year Quebec... spas have also served us well. And this year it’s Napa Valley to drink, eat, rest and make merry. True confession: it’s my best antidote to an otherwise guaranteed case of blahs as my grown kids and lovely grandkids periodically use this time to gather with other sides of family. Missing them always produces an ache. So we run away with delight as two grown-ups can. Stay tuned for a full report on this year’s escape!