"All done," our fifteen month old granddaughter motioned, using infant sign language to communicate the desire she couldn't yet speak. It wasn't the message her parents or grandparents expected as the waitress put a long awaited grilled cheese sandwich in front of her.

But Neva had made up her mind that her pre-sandwich banana was enough. She was "all done" with this restaurant-eating thing. More important desires were on her horizon - exploring the bark on the tree outside, practicing new found step-climbing, and pushing a stroller towards home.

In the harried days leading up to our three-week vacation to China, I could use Neva's help. I can't seem to figure out when my pre-vacation work is "all done." In this finish-work-before-vacation dance I'm stuck in, my to-do list is growing as my time is shrinking. And tasks that have comfortably been in the background for weeks suddenly pop to priority status.

What is it about going on vacation that makes us so optimistic about what we can get done before leaving; so pressured by everything that needs wrapping up; and so inundated with requests as people hear we're going away? It's odd that our work becomes of such importance right before vacation-time that it can't wait a week or two.

It's hard to get excited when preparations mean I'm exhausted before I begin. Normal anticipation, excitement, and joy for the upcoming adventure seem stolen by the pressures of getting there. Yet, the draw of vacation mounts with its promised adventure of discovery, excitement of renewal, and joy of being. Or as Mark Twain said, "Take your mind out every now and then and dance on it. It is getting all caked up." I know my mind is.

So at this start of vacation season, I've decided there's wisdom in our granddaughter's "all done" signal. Vacation is a time to be "all done" with the everydayness holding us down; time to be "all done" with the mounting pressures of work;  and time to be "all done" with expectations of what we should be doing right now. At least for a little while.

You see, in the scheme of things, we need to replenish our energy and nurture our spirit. We need to bring play and laughter and curiosity to our life. We need to do nothing or something, whichever calls at the moment. And we need to reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones. So, I'm trying Neva's approach and declaring I'm "all done." I'm ready to explore new horizons. I'm ready for vacation

(c) 2008 Nan S. Russell.  All Rights Reserved.

Nan S. Russell is the author of "Hitting Your Stride: Your Work, Your Way." More about Nan and her work can be found at www.nanrussell.com.