I woke up this morning feeling absolutely LOUSY and decided to stay home for a while. I did a load of laundry and “attacked” a problem in the kitchen. Multiple trips up and down the stairs have left my legs hurting and weak. I have thick phlegm and a “scratchy” throat - eyes itching - yup! It’s allergy season. Although I’m SICK of the rain, it cleans the air of that nasty green pollen. And, I can’t find my generic bottle of Zirtec.
Sionn is in SF having more “fun” - I’ve been getting picture messages.... He gets home tomorrow and leaves on the 9th for Europe - just enough time to empty the suitcase, get laundry done, iron and fold shirts for packing in those special “envelopes” we got, feed him home cooked meals so he remembers where home is, and make the trek to the airport, yet again.
My mother lived like that while raising us kids overseas, away from any family support. I know the routine all too well. You could say I was trained for this. Mother occasionally got to go with Daddy some place special (just the two of them) but mostly we went places as a family (Spain, Mallorca, Gibraltar, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg... you get the picture). Home leave (6 weeks Stateside) was always something to look forward to with joy - seeing family and familiar places again - just so we didn’t forget we were Americans.
Once a year (or so) I get to go with Sionn, usually in connection with a business trip, someplace special. This year it’s Rome, Italy. I haven’t been there since 1970 when my sister and I were sent there to boarding school at St Stephen’s. The school itself turned out to be a disaster, but we really enjoyed getting to explore the city and its environs. Such memories.............
Hey, Girl.
I was a Military Wife for over 30 years. I was (am) also a Military Mom. And for the last seven years, I’ve been a Military Gramma. Living alone is what I do.
I know the lonely bitterness of WAITING at home for “something” in life to change so I could at least FEEL like my loyalty was appreciated.
Both of my children learned how to adapt because of my (ill-fated?) choices. They became much more adept at change than I ever thought of being. They are much better adults/parents/people than I could ever have asked them to be.
I understand; I empathathize; I commiserate; I love them.