My husband's gone tonight - on the road, doing what he does well and likes doing... He travels for his job sometimes and seems to enjoy it. He quips that he's "not working a day past age 80" and as long as his health holds out and he's needed, that'll happen...I'm sure of it! His absence tonight got me to thinking of the past and the memories of his being gone, albeit briefly, through the years.
When the kids were young (3 under 5) I remember the feeling, in the pit of my stomach, as hubby packed his bag. "How was I going to ride herd on this crew alone?" I remember standing at the front door, with two boys in front of me and holding one, crying, like a baby. (ME, not the one I was holding!) Hubby was never gone for long -it just SEEMED that way!
As the boys got older, it seemed that, if crazy things were going to happen, it would be when Dad was on the road. We laugh about it now but emergency room visits, speeding tickets, lackluster grades at school, seemed to be more likely to happen with Dad gone. Luckily, I had family close and leaned on them plenty. And again, hubby was never gone long...it just SEEMED that way.
It wasn't all bad, being a part-time "single parent", back then. Meal time was easier (How hard is pizza?) and I used to do projects, like the ones I spoke of in another blog post. I have a greater respect, now, for the real "single parents," who don't get that relief that comes when Dad walks through the door.
I'll be glad when hubby gets home from this trip...I DO miss the comfortable routine we have. I don't stand at the door, crying, these days, when he pulls out of the driveway. With the boys grown up and gone, there's little drama when Dad's gone. Just me and the dog. Yep - I'm always happy when hubby gets home...he's never gone long...it just SEEMS that way.
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