As we prepare for yet another military separation (only 2 months this time…and stateside) the uneasiness begins. At least this time there is no fear, no war zone and communication should be easier. But the reality is that we will be without a husband and father…and now we add grandfather (Poppy) to the mix. There will be missed events and lonely days. There always are.

Winter is hard here in upstate NY and the prospect of shoveling or the terrifying thought of having to use the snowblower (you don’t want to know what happened last year with this machine of torture) again is not a welcome thing. Chores need to be done, things inevitably break and there’s not a month that goes by without some sort of crisis to manage…such is the norm for life with children and a home.

We will manage of course. There is no other option. Yes, we’ll be fine, but shouldn’t I be allow to bitch and whine and feel just a bit grumpy about it? Allow me a couple of days to have my annoyed pity party and then we’ll be back to the ordinary business of life. At least our version of normal life…though it may not be like most others it’s what we have chosen.