Today is a sad day.  The Mister is leaving for one month so that he can fulfill his residency for his PhD. 

I’m feeling really emotional.  It’s not like this is the first time that we’ve been apart.  There was a season of time in the past when he was gone for at least one week per month.  The longest stretch of time apart was 6 weeks.  But this time, I’m not in a favourable-to-women-living-alone environment.  The threat of the country falling into civil war flares up from time to time.  Daily routine, mundane in other locations, can be exhausting here.  Being alone for 32 days seems bleak and desperately long. 

Maybe I’m just pms-ing, so the emotions, while still accurate, are heightened and closer to the surface.  Or maybe I’m just not the seasoned temporary-widow/single mother that I used to be.  I’m feeling really vulnerable this time.  Shamelessly, I’ve become quite clingy the past few days, grabbing for hugs anytime my path brings me into proximity of The Mister.  Yesterday, I was snappy and distant.  But then I ate cake and that was better. 

The Mister came home home after an afternoon/evening with his friends this past weekend.  He told me that a couple of his friends insisted that he give me their numbers in case anything happens because they “can do stuff”.  Maybe it was the pms, I burst into tears. 

The deepest core of my community is going to be apart from me for many days.  Yet, the community around me is rallying, insisting that they be a support.  A friend in need is a friend, indeed.