The World Without − 25 March, 2007
My wife has been away on a detail to Washington, D.C. She came back last Wednesday for a visit; as I write this, she has returned to D.C, where she will remain until the end of April.
It's not easy.
However, it's not the worst thing in the world. For one, a recent series of stories on NPR about the Minnesota National Guard troops who have been stuck in Iraq opened my eyes to the world of hurt that's out there. I can't imagine being without my spouse that long.
Even my Mom didn't have to put up with that. My father did three tours of duty in Vietnam, but was never gone for so long a stretch as the Minnesotans.
So, really, I haven't got a lot to complain about today. My wife came back, we had a great time while she was here, and she's away again, but is staying someplace safe. The World Without, as I call this grey area I'm in, isn't the most pleasant place to be. But compared to the Minnesotans, I'm just wading in the kiddie pool.
It's not easy.
However, it's not the worst thing in the world. For one, a recent series of stories on NPR about the Minnesota National Guard troops who have been stuck in Iraq opened my eyes to the world of hurt that's out there. I can't imagine being without my spouse that long.
Even my Mom didn't have to put up with that. My father did three tours of duty in Vietnam, but was never gone for so long a stretch as the Minnesotans.
So, really, I haven't got a lot to complain about today. My wife came back, we had a great time while she was here, and she's away again, but is staying someplace safe. The World Without, as I call this grey area I'm in, isn't the most pleasant place to be. But compared to the Minnesotans, I'm just wading in the kiddie pool.
