Living Without

Wayne is away at a conference. Without him, I do not sleep well, eat as well, or feel complete. He is nearly my emotional polar opposite, so when I'm spinning out in some crazy mood or losing my sense of direction, he is always patient, always able to give me a different perspective. He gives me calmness when I can't find any within myself.
While I only have to go without for a few days now and then, there are many woman who have men who are away constantly, or are single moms. I can't imagine the amount of exhaustion they must carry around every day, all day long.
There is so much comfort in knowing I share the responsibility of my children with someone else. That when I have nothing left, Wayne can take over. And while he likes to pretend that he doesn't know what to do, I am always a little awed at his ability to sing the right song to William or show Wynn the flowers outside.
He will be home in three more days. Three more nights of doing the bedtime routine alone;getting two kids cleaned, dressed, and into bed while they are fussy, tired and impossible. Three more night of pulling the kids into bed with me so that I won't lie away listening to the floors creak. Three more.