ADVERTISEMENT
Her departure came with no warning and no tears. Just a note that read, “I can’t do this anymore.”
I reread that note every night for weeks — first in disbelief, then in anger.
But I didn’t have the luxury of falling apart.
I stayed and was overwhelmed with kindergarten drop-offs, lunchtime tantrums, doctor visits, and bedtime books.
It was all up to me amidst work deadlines and more. But I was resilient and learned fast.
Yes, I burned some dinners and even forgot to pack snacks, but I got better.
We settled into a rhythm that didn’t include waiting for her to come back.
I found a small circle of people I trusted, including our neighbor Fran.
She was a retired nurse who became like a grandmother to William.
She would babysit when I had to work late and read to him when I was too tired to keep my eyes open.
ADVERTISEMENT