All the Things

For the past couple of weeks, I have repeatedly found myself telling people, "This separation from J is really hard on the kids," making it sound like I am dealing just fine and would be OK with all this living apart, spouse-in-potentially-dangerous situation* if not for the little ones.  But then I forced myself to look deeper at how I am actually coping and:

I have been baking.  A lot. <--at least one of you knows that is one of my stress/coping mechanisms. I was going to make a list, but who needs that?;

I have been snacking between meals.  <--I haven't don't this in years.  My body is not happy with me;

I have a hard time overcoming lethargy to do anything creative, both writing and art endeavors are currently sputtering and fizzling;

I have resorted to playing a mindless video game on Ti'Loup's iPad.

I could probably list a few more telltales that, yeah, I too wish this situation would resolve and our family could go back to normal.  And then I feel enormous amounts of guilt because I am primarily concerned about my family and not all the Lebanese and others who are suffering so.  I know that this is natural in a way--I know I can't do anything under my own power to bring about peace--but it still smarts that my empathy level is clocking in so firmly at "numb."

I also hate the planning we are having to do concerning J's vacation time next year.  We are trying to spread out his days so that he can come home every two months or so.  It is sad to think this conflict could be going on all next year and trying to decide when we can go back, and should J keep the big flat just for himself, and...and...and...???

Despite the stress (struggling to find the right label), I would not say I am depressed.  I am still finding enormous amounts of joy in my surroundings, drinking in the beauty of autumn in our little corner of the French countryside.  I am having fun reading and discussing things with the kids.  I love our family game time and watching my kiddos' joie de vivre.

With the holidays coming up and the desire to make sure it is a beautiful, meaningful time for the kids (they aren't taking it well that J will not be able to come home for Christmas, nor can we fly to Beirut for the holidays because--hey, ho! who has $7,000 lying around to spend on airfare), I need to get more energy and oomph...but without passing through Guiltyland.

And all that is why I have posted a thousand times in my mind but never written up an entry for DW.  But, it is life, and I do want to document it.

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*There have been several strikes in both areas we frequent as a family and near to J's work.  It is unnerving.