The World's Common Tater

I’m not quite alone yet. My wife is leaving for the office in an hour or so and then heading straight to the airport from there. She is flying in to help her mom prepare for Christmas. I will join her with the kids in a week. My daughter is still on campus until the 21st, so I will have 6 days home alone.

I’ve written before about loneliness. Loneliness has been a constant for me throughout my life. I’m not always alone, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be lonely. Sometimes it is lonelier in a crowd than it is when you are alone.

The loneliness has increased over the past year due to a combination of a pandemic, leaving my job, and having no social life or social circle. My daughter has moved back to campus. My wife works from the time she wakes up until 6:30 or 7. I spend 14-15 hours a day alone. Alone with my thoughts can be a scary place to be.

This year, the alone time before the holidays seems like it will be harder than last year. It will be longer, so that is a factor. A few other things that have happened over the last few months also contribute.

Here’s hoping I can get caught up in a book or something so the hours don’t drag by this week.