routines of life

When Rod leaves on a flight there are certain routines that are always followed. As a pilot, he always does a pre-flight check. As his wife, a pilot’s wife, I always send him away with our pre-flight words. I think it started after we got here to Nairobi, and when I was pregnant with Cristiana. I tell him, “Fly safe, and come back to us.” It is one of those habits, routines, whatever you want to call it, that make his leaving a part of our lives. I guess it is my way of making it clear in my mind that he is leaving and I want certain words to be among the last. In addition, of course, we tell each other that we love each other.