who's the mommy around here anyway?

Monday, August 25, 2008

The Safest Place

Yesterday was my Dad's unveiling. My Mom is here from Florida, staying with us for a few days, and tension is high between my husband and me, as it always is when he has to share me with someone else. I blame the tension on him, he blames it on me, and I'm sure the truth is somewhere between.

Yesterday was a beautiful day with bright sunshine, not too hot, and a steady breeze. We gathered at the graveside for the brief ceremony. The rabbi asked if I'd like to share any personal memories of my Dad, or just stick to the prayers, and I opted to stick with the selected prayers, not too sure I wouldn't break down if I started to speak. As the ceremony ended, the tears began, and when they began, it didn't matter that my husband and I had been sniping at each other all week, or that I'd been bitchy to him all day, or that I'd been trying to avoid him for the past 15 minutes, because in that instant I just instinctively sought out the safest place I knew, and that was my husband's strong arms, steady shoulders and comforting presence. I moved to where he was and he put his arms around me and kept everyone away, kept me safe and protected until I was ready to rejoin family and friends.

My husband is the safest and most comforting place I know. I'm so grateful.