I think all my tools from home are gone. That’s probably for the best. I didn’t know how to use most of them.
I imagine that most loose items in the home have been sold or given away. Bedtimes could be blown out of the water, there could be olives in the house or much disrespect directed toward the Vizio.
See what happens when I’m not there? See the chaos that can ensue, the destruction of the space time continuum and new black holes on a daily basis?
You can’t? You’re probably right. Even without the dad, life continues as normal. The dog still smells, the car still works, food still gets devoured and the house hasn’t caved in.
It’s tempting to imagine them saying, “It’s become necessary to outsource you, dad. We’ll see you on the other side. Whenever that is.”
But come to find out, I am still very much needed. We’ve had to rewrite the playbook for these few months while we’re apart. (Click here to catch up on why jobs are forcing us to temporarily be apart.)
So we do the best we can until we can be together again. Here’s 7 ways we work to keep the family unit intact.
1. We try to pray once a night as a family. As often as I can, I participate through Facebook video chat.
2. We talk almost every day by phone. I never let a conversation go by when I don’t tell my wife that I love her.
3. Letters home. I nearly forgot how to print, but that was one of the best Sundays I ever spent, writing handwritten letters to my boys. I need to do that again.
4. Still live the values that I believe, even though there’s nobody in this tiny apartment to check to see if i’m watching the right movie or engaging in other debauchery. I’m still accountable to my family and my God.
5. Let them be surprised when I see them again, that only 1 in 5 socks end up under my side of the bed. Don’t want to shock them too bad.
6. Online grade reports allow to check and see if we need to hold an accountability session with one or both of the boys.
7. It’s fun thinking of all the ways I can tell my wife how much I love her from two states away.
Come to think of it I haven’t sent her flowers in awhile.
That gives me an idea.
What other ideas do you have for us?
My heart aches for you guys. Danny and I had to be apart several times because of work. It was not fun! Danny sent me lots of greeting cards. It is his specialty. When he sends you a card, you know it says exactly what is in his heart. I’ve watched him spend as much as half an hour in the card isle until he finds just the right card for someone. Kaylonnie bought him a Hallmark gift card in September for his birthday so he could send her lots of cards while she’s on her mission.
Flowers are lovely, but I’m betting that a card with a hand-written message would make her even happier. And when pressed? A simple email stating how much you miss her and love her will mean a lot.
This is what we tend to forget as married/otherwise-connected couples. It’s the simple pieces of communication that keep us going. Especially when that message is “Thank You.”
I wish you and your family all the best during this transition.