A long long time ago, I can still remember how<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first time I want to Manhattan it was a work trip, and I was very excited to go on my own and the task I needed to complete couldn\u2019t be done on Friday. I had to stay until Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was excited to have a whole weekend to stay in the city and explore it. But very quickly, I felt the strangeness of being alone. I didn\u2019t know the city, and I didn\u2019t know anyone. I missed having some people I belonged with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chris and Veronica have been away for the week. When the plans were made, they were going to take a road trip across the country. I was going to stay home and work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Except\u2014as it turned out I didn\u2019t have a job to work at by the time they set out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was excited at first to do some things I had been putting off, to have my house and my time to myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until it got very lonely and weird. I remembered the weekend in New York City when it was hard to find a place I belonged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week, I\u2019ve had a place. But the place was empty without the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My family is an important part of the people that make me feel comfortable at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the shock of unemployment took away an important people group I relied on. I get a lot of energy from the people I work with. Now that they are gone, my energy and well-being have taken a hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back when I went to Manhattan, and when I made the plans for being alone this past week it didn\u2019t cross my mind to be anything but strong and independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality of the experience was stark. I could do it, or course. I could also stop breathing for a minute. That would be a very long minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I hadn\u2019t realized how important my people are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A long long time ago, I can still remember how The first time I want to Manhattan it was a work trip, and I was very excited to go on my own and the task I needed to complete couldn\u2019t … Continue reading