In a quandry

... whenever I travel.

My business travels have affected the boys when they were little (less than 2 years old). Now as they grow older, I believed they will able to handle my absence better.
Usually, my business trips last a week.. but the most recent trip to US was for about 3 weeks! before, during and after that trip, I didn't see any issues from them. Phew!

After the 3-weeks US trip just 2 months ago, I told them that I will be away for another 2 weeks in Geneva. Aaron and Dylan were oblivious to my long absence.. considering that they are too young to note the number of days involved. On the other hand, I didn’t think that it would be any issue with Thytus and Nixon since they are bigger now. Nevertheless, since two weeks before my trip, both them took turns to ask me when would I be leaving..and kept telling me that they would be missing me. I didn’t take it literally... assuming that they are emotionally robust at the age of 8 (in 2 months) and 7 (in two months)... and fondly reciprocated that I would miss them too..

However, I was brought to shock on my journey to the airport when Nixon was tearing all the way! Thytus just sat in car being really quite throughout the journey...

The initial plan was to just drop me off since it was already 9.30pm and that I only had enough time to check in and walk to the gate. But after seeing the boys in that condition, I told apps that I will bring Thytus and Nixon with me to check in and will bring them out when I am done, while he waits in the car with Dylan and Aaron.. (Aaron was already sleeping.)

The boys were in luck that my flight got delayed by 1/2 hour. So after check-in, I suggested to apps that we have dinner before they said good bye.. and apps agreed.

But still, we couldn’t avoid the fact that I will be boarding soon... can't I? As I hugged to say goodbye, I was so afraid that the boys would get emotional again. I embraced Thytus lightly.. assuming he wasn’t into hugs (since he is too shy to say ILU (our code for I love you) or give me a peck in school (unlike Nixon), but will do it at home).. but in return, I got a real long hug! *sigh* Nixon looked better after the extra time with me.. after kissing all of them bye, I headed to the gate.

I checked with apps on how the boys were after I left.. and he said that Nixon was tearing all the way home again...

I was wrong to think that the boys were growing up and wouldn't be missing me... *sigh* It's gonna make it more difficult for me to leave them on each of my future travels.