A Cold for Days Now

This week, I’ve been sick. And it’s the first time I’ve been sick since Eddie died.
Full transparency: between the two of us, I was always the one who wanted to be held, fussed over, pampered a little. Eddie? He preferred to be left alone to sleep it off and bounce back.

The first signs showed up Tuesday—a headache that lingered just long enough to make me pay attention. By Thursday, I ended up at urgent care, just to be sure it wasn’t more than a cold. Thankfully, it wasn’t. But the ache wasn’t just physical.

I keep wishing Eddie was here.

To bring me tea. To tease me for being dramatic. To just be in the room.

Instead, I’m here in this new life.
Still healing. Still learning how to care for myself in ways he used to.
Still missing him in the quiet moments that no one else sees.

But still carrying our love with me—unchanged, unending.
And even in the ache, I know I’ll be okay.