It’s 11:00 at night. I sit watching L hunched over her laptop at the coffee table talking online. I can see the worry and tension on her face and I know there’s so little I can do to help .

Next to me my laptop dings as another mail comes in followed quickly by a chat message. Both online, both to the States and both lost in corporate world where we are facing some serious challenges in the months ahead. I feel so helpless and so proud. Helpless because there is nothing I can do that will really help or change the situation. Proud because I know how good and capable L is at her job and that she’s in this position because of that very fact. When you need something to succeed you go to the people you trust and with a good track record. Despite that I hate to see the tension and worry on her face. I know that this won’t be an easy time for her.

More email arrives for me. We’ve both said half an hour more and poured one last glass of wine. It seems an odd way to celebrate an anniversary but for both of us it’s necessary work and at least we are together. The Spring flowers sit in the kitchen waiting for the vase. The drawing is propped on the floor waiting for a less stressful time to be finished. As the time ticks away this month it’s important we hang on to these things as a balance to work.

Tonight we just need to sleep.