I walk into the room slowly after checking the news. My wife is still asleep. I’ve been up early due to the time change, my body still thinks that it is five in the morning.
The room is dark but I know it, I know the feel of the runner on the floor beneath my feet, I know the sound of the the air filter softly issuing white noise.
She stirs, but only a little as I find a place to put my face below her neck. I put an arm around her and hug her as hard as I can.
I close my eyes. I try to remember that this is what’s important, that this is the human experience.
I take a deep breath to still myself, to feel everything, to be here.
I hope.