One of the most reliable facts of aviation life is that the best laid plans will usually go awry. This week, my husband's schedule was particularly heavy, and I was facing quite a few nights at home alone with the dog, so I decided to plan to meet a few friends.
I always try to do this, as I think the best way to handle our lifestyle is to pack my meet-ups with friends into the time when my husband's working, so that I'm free and able to spend proper time with him when he's home. Which is great, when it works...
This week, I had a whole day planned; lunch and dinner with two separate groups of friends, and a delicious bit of retail therapy in between. My husband was due to leave early in the morning and wouldn't be back for a couple of days. But, when he got up and checked whether his flight was on time, they had good news for him; the flight had been cancelled due to technical problems. He wouldn't be going after all.
So, you can imagine the quandary I was in. What was it to be - my friends or another precious day with my husband? Not a situation I like to find myself in very often.
In the end, I decided I had to honour the plans I'd made. I was meeting friends I don't often get to see, and I'd promised, and that's important in friendship. And, in the end, I think my husband had a nice day too; he got to go for a long bike ride, eat curry for dinner and watch whatever TV he wanted without needing to have a discussion with me about Top Gear vs Grand Designs! And we managed to squeeze a couple of hours together too before dinner, which felt like a tremendous bonus.
The observant ones amongst you will have noticed the title of this post is from an Elton John song. I'm humming it as we speak. You see that this aviation life does to you? It turns you into an incurable romantic, singing 80s love songs to yourself. Nevermind, eh.
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London, I always look forward to seeing you again.
7 months ago
hello! I absolutely have loved reading your posts. I can't count the number of times I out-loud agreed with your writing. Thank you- I aspire to have as positive an outlook on the lifestyle that accompanies loving a man who happens to be a pilot. :)
ReplyDeletelet your life be going like this..don't hope more from anybody.
ReplyDeleteI happened upon your blog after a particularly frustrating day as a pilot's wife.... he left on a trip in a mood - this "back to work" funk I find more and more frequent on the days he goes back. It was a bit surprising this time, as he will be home again in 2 days for 2 weeks!
ReplyDeleteYour post really hit home. It is my most difficult life task - how does one have a life with a spouse who's job has zero predictability. I can't tell you how many times your situation happened to me - but the difference is, my hubby is not so understanding if I go on with my plans.
I wonder if it has to do with his not being able to have a life outside of work? He really can't commit to anything or anyone, and so therefore, when he is home, he depends a great deal on me - almost completely- for companionship.
I do not work outside the home, but in order to keep myself from going batty whe he IS gone, I have many volunteer things I do - and spend time with our grown children and grandchildren. I try so hard to plan my schedule around his, which is no easy task! Sometimes it is not posted until the last Weds of the month prior. But inevitably, it changes - and I am in the doghouse for being busy while he is home.
Well - thanks for the vent. It is so nice to know there are other people in this world who know this life. It is so hard to explain to anyone not living it.
God bless you all...