The Hostess Hangover

I had twelve extra people (all family) stay at my house over the holiday weekend. That brought the total in my house up to 17 people – 9 kids, 8 adults – one dog, and one three-month-old puppy.

There was lots of food, fun, swimming, and even a triathlon for the kids.

They all packed their bags and left after lunch yesterday. My house is much quieter and somehow I miss all the wild and crazy.

I miss seeing my sisters – brother why didn’t you come at all – and parents. I miss hearing my nieces and nephews ask about dessert, swimming, riding bikes, or playing “baseball” (wiffle ball).

And in the quiet of only five people in my house I did very little yesterday afternoon and evening. I had hostess hangover. It’s when you are a bit sad all your guests are gone, but also relieved because there is quiet in the house. Besides these mixed emotions your body is so overstimulated it can barely move.

My hostess hangover bled into dinner time as I told my family to eat leftovers and I ate only two pieces of cheese.

It reminded me of Psalm 42

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.     Psalm 42:5

The hostess hangover – had fun, glad to be back to normal, but missing my family – and so I have to choose to put my hope in God.

What do you do when your guests leave?