Backtracking

So many things have gone on this year that I haven't divulged on cyberspace because it wasn't the right time.  Family and local friends were aware, but there were things I couldn't even share on Facebook.  Months went by that I felt like I didn't have anything to "say" online.  But now, I'm comin' clean.

Back in January, Andy's office was flooded by a broken pipe.  There weren't enough dental chairs for him to use so the owners suggested he commute to Tucson~ a four hour drive from our home.  They had an office there that they were trying to find a dentist for, but they would let him work there instead until the repairs were complete.  They would pay for his hotel and his gas.  He would leave around 6:00 Sunday night and get home around midnight Thursday.  For a while, they had him work Fridays here to keep up with his local patients.

We were grateful for the job opportunity, mostly because we had been terrified they would just tell him he wouldn't be able to work until the repairs were done... And how long would that be?  But we also felt like we had little choice in the matter.  We had bills to pay.  

To be honest, both Andy and I were devastated about being apart.  We hoped it would be a month or so, but knew that we had no idea what we were really signing up for.  I cried off and on the entire week before they made all the arrangements for his commute.  I ached for my boys that would be without a dad all week long.  I complained internally that I was going to be a single parent and that everything would be my responsibility.  And Andy knew how horribly he would miss us.

After Andy was there for six weeks, he was asked if he would be willing to do it until June.  They didn't think they were going to be able to find anyone to hire permanently until the summer.  Why that was our problem, I don't really know.  Six months is a long time for a three year-old, so I was hoping that somehow we could finish before then.  (He worked there for 13 entire weeks and 2 half weeks before he quit his job with them.  The repairs were complete long before the end, but they couldn't find someone to replace him in Tucson.  A new guy started the last week.  The office manager thanked Andy on the last day because she said that the staff there wouldn't have had a job those many months had he not come.  My next post will explain our next adventure...)

Andy hated the monotony of a hotel room.  His body didn't do well eating fast or frozen food every night.  Andy's toe started going numb, probably from the long drives.  And I swear, there was a truckload of major projects that had to be squeezed into precious weekend hours...  a pinewood derby car, a science fair project, a poster about "me" for A...  When the boys came home from school and told me they could dress up for Dr. Suess Day, I laughed.  Not happening this year, boys.

Andy would come home on the weekends exhausted from driving.  He would have a thousand things to do around the house and try to give the boys some fun time.  I would mentally tick off how many hours were left before he had to leave again.

For the safety of my family, I didn't really want to tell everyone that I was home alone with three boys all week long.  So I couldn't reach out online for support.  I'll be honest... it was very lonely.  Luckily, we survived it.  And now, I can tell you.  Now that my family is together.  We are very happy about that.  :)

I am grateful for my Mom that would call every Sunday night to comfort me.  It was like she knew how much I needed her.  I am grateful for cell phones that I could call Andy every night.  I am grateful for prayer that would help me feel more safe, confident in myself, and our family feel more unified despite the miles that separated us.  I am grateful for sisters that would listen to me cry and complain on the phone, so many times.  I am grateful for friends that helped me mentally survive it.  It was truly one of the hardest things I have ever done.  And I don't want to ever do it again.