Well, the family is out of town. And, for the first time, I am “home alone.”

Our son is in California. Mrs. T. is away to visit her sister, and one of our other children is with her. Other children are with a school chorale trip in Ireland. Here is a view of County Killarney that one of the children texted to me.

I haven’t been home alone for an extended period, ever. It’s different.

When work obligations are over, I order take-out for dinner and do various chores that have been on my to-do list for a bit: washing windows, fixing sprinklers, cleaning the fridge, sweeping the garage, etc.

This time alone makes me think of widows and widowers. I’ve always assumed that Mrs. T. would outlive me, and so, I’ve never envisioned a future whereby I am home alone, with kids out of the house, am retired from my job, and have ample free time.

This week, I read more, listen to more podcasts, and my schedule feels completely askew.

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. I think that’s true. I think of my children and Mrs. T. I think about how grateful I am that they are in my life. Maybe it is because another child just graduated from high school, but I am feeling nostalgic, as though time is whipping by regardless of what I want. I fear what will happen if I do become an elderly widower. 

I guess I’ll deal with it if and when the time comes.

So, tonight, I think I’ll indulge and go out for pizza cooked in a coal-fired oven, the way it should be. I will sit at the bar and make small talk.

With the house empty, summer in session and work in good order, I’m taking a few vacation days at the end of this week. You guessed it: I will fly fish.

And, when I return, the house should be partially refilled. Three members of the family will be back.

I’m looking forward to that, more so than fly fishing, frankly.

Addendum: Here it is, the best pizza in Metro Boston, IMO. From Max and Leo’s.