VIGIL

Waking up at 4:15am after only a few hours of fitful sleep.
I feel a weighty responsibility that I can't quite comprehend...

It's a blessing to have a partner there by my side
to brave the cold & windy ten-minute walk;
to enter the warm, dark, comforting church;
to be quiet with me;
to know my tears are my own;
to be alone with me;
to grasp my hand;
to let go.

Only an hour - feels like forever - over in seconds.
The longest and shortest, most emotional, most connected, most solitary hour.