The Empty Mug

Routines are funny.  Simple tasks repeatedly completed without thought or preparation, done so often they are as mindless as breathing.  Half awake, rinse the coffee pot, fill with water to the 8 cup line, scoop some Texas Independence Vintage Bin blend, ummm smells good, even out the mound of brown caffeine goodness, hit brew, grab half & half, hazelnut creamer, whipped cream, nod to the dog waiting for a treat, and grab the mugs: my usual Lennox delicate tea cup, his the heavy Norwich crockery.  I do this every day.  Even when he is not here.

Even though I wake up in a bed all by myself, it's not till the coffee grind that it truly hits me.  Hubby is on the other side of the world, thirteen hours ahead of me, working in a world I've never seen.  Today is the start of his three week trip.  Trips that are becoming more frequent.  Looking at his empty mug I can't help but wander to scenarios my brain is best not to explore.  But I'm there.  Thinking of everything that could go wrong.  Fretting over the recent BP hostages in Algeria.  Hurting for fellow Houston families whose men aren't coming home alive.  Knowing hubby felt so uncomfortable on the streets of Dhaka last trip.  Fearing the unstable politics and religious fanatics that dominate so much of the world where energy business is conducted.  When he is gone I worry.  Endlessly.  I begin to miss all his silly habits that I swore would be my ultimate undoing.

I am lucky.  Hubby is protected wherever he goes and I know he will be home soon to leave his mug on the table long after he's drank his coffee and I will be able to grumble about a man's inability to pick up after himself.  Looking at this morning's empty mug reminds me that I have one nephew soldier in Afghanistan whose wife is pregnant with their second child.  I have another nephew in the Army facing his first deployment overseas next month.  The mug reminds me I have precious friends whose husbands passed far too early and for them there are only memories to fill their empty mugs. 

I am very lucky.  I miss him, but I am lucky.

LOVE  &  MORNING THOUGHTS

Comments

[Vince Wos]

Good stuff Jacqster!

[Hand of Bela Peck]

Thanks Kath! Love Ya girl!

[Kathy Wheeler]

Ok, I've read many of your blogs, but this one touched my heart more than any other. I was wiping away tears as I tried to finish! Very good Jacq!