My wife is with her family this week for her grandmother's memorial service. That leaves me and my best friend from college to "bach' it" this week.
So far so good. We haven't starved as of yet, and the house is still in order. ...of course, we're computer types so it's not like we're prone to make a huge mess anyway... unless it's spilled popcorn while watching TV episodes online.
Even though we're still in the first days of being without Brittany, I have already gained a new respect and growing empathy for you single mothers, wives of service men, and those of you with husbands who travel a lot. Granted, your experience is naturally different from mine, but I'm starting to get a glimpse of it.
The one part of this that I'm missing is my kids. I know it's hard to care for them by yourself, but there's something lonely about coming home without your family there (even if your best friend is basically family... it's still not quite the same).
So, for you mothers--and fathers--out there who have to carry on without your significant other, this post is for you.
I wish I had some insight or encouragement for you, but I don't know enough. Just know that I'm experiencing a tiny fraction of your life. I'd be happy to pray for you this week. Feel free to comment or shoot me an email.
For the rest of you, be blessed this week as you spend time with your family!
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
P.S. I ran across the following code on Sonlight's site today:
<a href="/guarantee.html" title="faq return instructions">Return Policy</a>
Thought it was funny. Anyone else find it as funny as I do? Or am I too web nerdy?
Heather, thanks! My wife comes back tonight and we've survived thus far <smile>.
~Luke
Hope your week has gone well and very quickly without your lovely wife around. I really feel for single moms/wives of husbands who travel a lot. My sister's husband is Stealth Bomber pilot in the AF so she routinely is without him for periods of time and my best friend has a husband who travels 3 weeks a month. I am in awe of them being able to do it. I go crazy if Jamie's away for a few days!
Terri, I love Chuck! <smile> I'm glad my post was relevant. Hang in there until the crunch time is over, and keep on enjoying those Sonlight titles! <smile>
Melonie, even though Jason and I hung out all the time in college, you're right: It's totally different now <smile>. May you have plenty of opportunities to hug your kids when you need it this week <smile>. Hang in there!
Tammy, may you and your husband have a wonderful time of reconnecting here in the coming days... snoring and all <smile>.
Monica, is it time for him to go back already? Wow. That felt quick, and I merely read your blog! May these last moments be wonderful, and may you find the support and connection you need when he heads out again.
Mrs. C, thank you so much! It is driving me a little batty <wry smile>.
Mary Grace, may you not feel alone at all while Mr. Blandings goes off and builds his dream house (or whatever <smile>). And I don't stay up late. My wife actually keeps me up when she's home. When I called her yesterday she confessed that she had stayed up way too late <laughing>. One of us has to be responsible <smile>.
Jenn, thank you for your prayers! And may your husband have a safe and quick trip this weekend. And I have your blog in my RSS reader, so I've seen your latest posts... but I haven't had anything to say. But I am reading <smile>. I see you've got another post today, so maybe I'll have a comment tomorrow <smile>.
Thank you all for your comments and support! And for those of you "batchen' it": May you be surrounded by comfort and love.
~Luke
It's so hard when they are away...my husband is going to Houston this weekend and I always miss him so. Still, I am blessed he only travels 4-5 times a year for work. My prayers are with you.
Just so you know, I am blogging again. Hope you visit again soon.
Jenn
Mr. Blandings will be gone for the month of June (*m* work) and I'll miss him like crazy. The first days always feel giddy happy, honestly: "I can make dinner WHENEVER I WANT! "I don't have to hear that alarm clock in the morning!" But it's quickly replaced with, "Oh, he's not going to be here for dinner. I'm (gulp) alone."
Wishing you the best as you stay up way too late on your computer(s) and rack up many, many internet miles. :-)
Continuing to pray you GET THOSE KIDS SOON!!! It has to be driving you crazy and worried sick. :[
Thank you for taking the time to think of those that do live without their significant others. My husband is a chaplain in the Army and is currently home on his leave. We've had about three weeks together and they are drawing to an end. It will be hard to say goodbye to him as he heads back to Iraq. Knowing that there are people out there praying for soldiers and their families is encouraging.
Great post! I've just had a glimpse of it myself as my husband has been gone for a week and returns today! YAY! I've missed his help with the kids and around the household as well as those late night or early morning conversations we have daily. I do have to say though that it's been nice having the bed ALL TO MYSELF without anyone snoring next to me! LOL!
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
Sounds like you guys are having fun overall... but you're right - there are plenty of times that it isn't. You get to do your own thing, but it's not like you're rebeling during college. ;-)
As a military wife - and a former single mom - gotta give you kudos and a big thanks for the recognition. It's true, having the kids here makes a difference. If nothing else, it's somebody to hug (if they'll hold still long enough) on the tough days. And they serve as an excellent distraction when an acquaintance asks "So, how are you holding up?" and you have to take a moment to try to collect yourself so you can look calm and cool before you answer. We all know what it means, and having the kids there makes it easy to go, HEY, Sweetie, that's a cute sweater you're wearing today!!! while the other mommy or daddy blinks a few times and tries to fake a steady voice to answer with.
Not that I ever do that. Or have had to pull the sweater line while another mom did it. ;-) HA.
It's funny to read a post like this and think, "Hey, this post was for me!"
My husband usually works from home, squirreled away in his little office upstairs, while the kids and I are downstairs, doing our thing. (Like, for instance, Core K. Go, My Father's Dragon!)
But it's crunch time, so he's been in Chicago almost every day for the last ... well, almost 2 months?
I realize that's nothing compared to what our friends the military wives go through, but, yow, it's a grind. And a lonely grind, at that!
(And I'm glad to see a fellow fan of Chuck ... )