The last two evenings have been really nice. Our oldest son is working in town this week, meeting my husband afterwards, coming home with him, and going back the next morning.

Tonight we all Skyped our second son at college. For just a moment it felt like we were all together (although the son we were Skyping didn’t really agree—I guess he was the only one sitting there alone).

At Christmas we’ll share the same space again. It’s something you don’t imagine when they’re small, this pulling and separating, bits of your heart—your family—in other places.