I was going back and forth between the Creekside area, my daughter’s house, and my new home at T Bar M. It took me a good twenty minutes each way at that time, but that was okay. I was on a mission—unpacking what seemed like a thousand boxes.
This packing thing isn’t new to me. As a child, we moved every couple of years, it seemed. My parents were both in the military, but my mom’s career was cut short when she became pregnant with me. Remember, this was in the fifties. Dad stayed in for twenty-five years. It felt like Mitch and I were going down that same path, moving every couple of years, even if just locally. I would always say, “This is the last time I’m moving!” Haha! But somehow, there was always one more move waiting.
As my mission continued, I didn’t want to stop once I got started. I wanted it done. I’m one of those people who needs everything in its place quickly so I can get on with life. I still had two dogs to care for, and I loved spending time with them, but those boxes weren’t going to unpack themselves! I started each morning and worked until dusk. It took me less than a week to finish.
My daughter and her husband both work long hours during the week, so we would spend time together on the weekends. Usually, that meant driving out of town for supper. At first, it felt very odd, two is company, three is a crowd. I did enjoy being with them, and the food was always good wherever we went. But I thought of Mitch. He loved to eat, and he would often say, “I could probably fix this too. with a recipe, of course.” That was hard. I always took a photo of him with a fork in his mouth, just for Facebook, where his followers would wonder, “What’s he eating now?”
You know what else I found myself doing, and I wonder if you’ve gone through this too? Couples. Everywhere! Everywhere I looked, I saw couples, young and old alike. I had never noticed it so much before. I would find myself thinking things like, “I wonder what they’re talking about?” Maybe planning their next vacation? Or maybe asking, “Is it time to downsize?”, you know, all the things more mature couples talk about.
With the young couples, I wanted to say, “Choose your battles. Enjoy your time together. Yes, work to stay together.” You know, give them advice.
With those thoughts came the urge to walk right up to them and tell them how short life is, how you never know how much time you’ll have with one another. Don’t sweat the small stuff! Above all, appreciate each other. You never know when one of you may be taken.
I also felt many emotions; jealousy, anger, resentment, and a deep sadness. Then it dawned on me: I am no longer part of a couple…I am single.
