A few weeks ago, I was at work (I work on a farm), and the husband was getting ready for a road trip for a few days. The wife was packing this, snagging that, asking him about ABC being ready, and so on.
We all know the drill. Getting ready to go out gets layers of complexity when you’re going for days - moreso when you’re on a farm. She’s running him through the checklist in her head. He’s following her instructions and gathering the items from his mental load she hasn’t mentioned.
I smiled a knowing smile. I used to travel a lot for work. In my past life, as a corporate hustlin’ mama, he held down the fort so often. A toddler and an infant, his work, our home, and I’m off for a few days every other week or so. One time for 9 weeks straight. (I made the mistake of counting…)
And that balanced rhythm of ours continues. I get up and he gets me out the door. Breakfast and tea. Helping find my belt for my work pants from yesterday. (The belt he got for me when my new work pants were too big.) Just this morning, after our first snow of the season, he went out and started up the truck for me - scraping the windshield.
And so the farmer is out the door and on his way. And the other farmer exhales a happy sigh at her job well done. And off we go into the fields to glean before the freeze.
When you or your loved one is packing up and heading out, who carries which load? How does that feel for you? For them? Does it work well for you? I’d love to hear how y’all create your own balance for that remember-everything-don’t-be-late moment when it comes into your life.