Maria left early this morning, she drove straight into a deepening snowstorm, and I am waiting to hear that she has made it to Boston. I know she will, she is strong and takes good care of herself. Still, when she drove off, I wished my heart was a strong as hers. Her plane is supposed to take off tonight for Dubai, then Kolkata. A blizzard is underway in the region, the worst to come.

I suggested going last night, or earlier this morning, but she had made up her mind, and it is up to her.

I am sure she will get there safely.  She wanted us to spent some time together this morning, we did the barn chores together, sat and talked, held hands, hugged a dozen times. Then we drove to the Round House to pick up some tea for her to take on the drive – Scott Carrino opened up early for us and gave Maria a great big hug.

Goodbyes are tough on me, so is watching Maria drive off in a snowstorm in her little blue car. We said goodbye in the parking lot at the Round House. Neither of us is much into drama, but our hearts were heavy with separation.

We were both crying as we said goodbye. Maria and I are independent in many ways, close in so many others, and the goodbye was harder than imagined it would be.

Still, we are both so excited by the trip, that overwhelms any other emotion. I came home and gave the donkeys and pony some carrots and ran Fate and Red around the pasture and then started shoveling, there is already four or five inches on the ground, more coming.

Scott called to caution me about the shoveling, but it was light snow, I feel fine. Maria called to tell me she was nearly in Massachusetts. She has rented a hotel room  since her flight is so late. If her flight is canceled or delayed – as too many people too count have assured me it will be – she will go to the airport and wait it out.

I do not believe the flight will be delayed., we both checked the weather carefully and the forecast is for rain in Boston tonight, snow tomorrow. If it is, she’ll get another. If the weather forecast holds she will be on her way tonight. I hope it all goes smoothly for her, but I do not worry about this trip, it is a miracle in so many ways, it is her trip, yet a triumph for us both. I just mostly feel so happy for her and proud of her.

It is strange to be in this house without her, she is a very large presence here. I hope to write this afternoon, keep up with the snow (I’ve called our friend Tyler Lindenholl and he will come and help shovel later today). I’m not sure Cassandra will be able to make it in the morning to kick off our creative writing plan, I called her and old her to say home if the roads are not clear. I can do the chores myself.

Strange is the best word, it is as if a large part of me is missing. And it is. Fate is looking everywhere for her, she seems to know this trip is different from an errand or trip to post office.

So the first step today is to hear that Maria has made it to Boston – writing always settles me – and then that her plane is taking off. More to come. This trip is destined to be, and I believe in it.