Another countdown begins...
This time we don't know when Manuel is coming back. It could be a week, two weeks, or worse three weeks. This time I will be counting from 1 day, in contrast to his previous business trips when I count from his scheduled number of days till the day he arrives.
What makes it difficult this time? It isn't just me looking for Manuel anymore. It isn't just me anticipating Manuel's coming home at the end of the day. LeRuof looks for his Dad all the time. He says Dad-deee (emphasis on each syllable) all the time. He looks for his Dad the moment he wakes up. He says Daddy when he finds something to associate his Daddy with. He looks for his Dad for playtime before going to sleep. Favorite game he plays with us these days is: when we are all in the bed, he would cross over to our bed, lie between us, puts his little arms on each of our head, forces us to put our head on top of his head and we would pretend to look for "Leyup" (as he pronounces his name). Then he would struggle, getting his arms under our heads and giggle. There will be none of that tonight and the next nights to come. Oh well, we will just count the days...