There is nothing short of a gentle state of melancholy that washes over us in the absence of loved ones. When our children come for a visit, the time passes so swiftly. And when that time comes as it must and as it does all-too-soon to say our goodbyes once again, the sobering reality of physical distance clangs its dissonance in our souls.

We look forward with great anticipation to the date they will arrive and when we meet them at the train terminal, bus station or airport, it is always in a state of exuberant joyfulness. And then, just a short time later -- a matter of a week or two -- our emotions are once again plunged into the dismal realization that yet another separation looms.

It is, of course, life as it happens. Children lead their own lives; they should and they will and their parents expect and applaud it. They require total independence once parents have exposed their children to the values and the qualities in the management of life, to set out on their own and make of their lives what they will. Parents wish nothing more for their children than fulfillment and satisfaction and nothing less than confidence in the future and the kind of happiness in life that everyone deserves.

Always back-of-mind, these realizations and acceptances, as when we parted once again with our youngest child yesterday morning. The very atmosphere of the house becomes charged with their presence when they're there. And the house itself seems to settle into a state of slight confusion in their absence. Then once again life assumes its normal rhythms and everyone returns to what is currently their usual state of being.

Jackie and Jillie ask no questions. They may, in their own way, wonder why suddenly there are four of us again when there was just so recently five. But they adjust swiftly as do we eventually, after murmuring to ourselves quietly how strange it all is, the transformation so palpable we could reach out and touch it. And we do, smiling at one another, speaking silently and hugging with the joy of our union.

Then we head out for an afternoon walk in the forest to soothe our bruised souls. And the forest does its very best to accommodate. It offers us the splendour of its sparkling-white snowbound loveliness. It offer us the opportunity to enjoy the solitude of the forest. It affords us the pleasure of striding along forest trails cushioned by a newfallen layer of snow.

And in watching the acrobatic antics of our two little dogs it reminds us that there are so many things in our lives for which we have great reason to be grateful, for our good fortune is manifest in the longevity of our marriage, and the celebration of our love for one another.