Here and Gone

He made it.  Just in time for a quick 48-hour visit before having to rush to the airport in the 12-hour window of calm before the second winter storm in 5 days, The Blizzard of Oz as some have named it, arrives in Kansas.

Gosh it was good to have Drew home.  Although, weird in some ways too.  He has no vehicle here.  He has very few clothes here.  He was in close touch with Denver and Ft. Collins all weekend as he monitored the weather at his "home".  Basically, he is a visitor in the house he owns - which is odd.  But that aside, it was absolutely fantastic.  I think we all (Drew, Heidi, Jackson & Ruby) relaxed - really relaxed - for the first time in weeks.  Things finally felt normal.  Comfortable.  Safe.  Complete.

We didn't do much.  Piddled away an afternoon while our realtor held an open house.  Feasted on a few of Drew's favorite meals (Auntie Em's deli, Paisano's, french toast, homemade enchiladas).  Played games.  Played in the snow and shoveled the rest of the driveway, patio and deck (with a foot on the ground and another foot in the forecast, we needed to make some room).  We slept in late, watched cartoons and the Oscars and we snuggled.  It was perfect.

It's funny how even a short visit can rejuvenate you.  Give you strength.  Like filling your lungs with enough air to lift you through another couple of weeks.

Until it's time to say goodbye. 

Despite happening more frequently, it sure hasn't gotten easier.  In fact, maybe even the contrary.  When you know what you're missing, it's harder to let it go.  That said, if there is a silver lining to the situation we find ourselves in, it is how much it has reinforced my love for this man.  For our family.  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  I no longer take it for granted and I appreciate every single moment - no matter how small or fleeting.  I'm certain the same is true for Drew.

As with everything, time heals all wounds and it doesn't take long to fall back into the routine (school, work, dinner, dishes, bath, games, books, facetime, bed, repeat) and get our groove back.  We'll all soldier on and before long this period of time will just be a small blip on the radar.

I can't wait for that day.