The Empty Chair at Sunday Roast

Dear Delyara, I made a roast today. The smell of rosemary and garlic filled the house, just like it used to. But when I sat down, I realized I’d set three places out of habit, even though the house has been empty for months. I didn't put the extra plate back in the cupboard. I just sat there and ate my meal in the presence of the people who aren't here anymore. It wasn't as sad as I thought it would be. It felt like a small tribute to the life we had before everything changed. I’m learning that you can be lonely without being miserable, and that’s a distinction I never understood before.