When the House Goes Quiet

No matter when it happens, that moment when the house goes quiet hits hard.

For some, it is happening now. For others, it happened years ago, and the feelings still live in their bones.

A few years ago, both of our sons left for university. Nine hours away. At the same time.

I knew it was coming. I had time to prepare. But about two weeks before they left, something broke open in me.

I couldn’t stop crying. Everything felt dark and heavy. I couldn’t be on camera at work because my face showed it all.

The anticipation, for me, was worse than the reality.