to all those who wonder about the self-imposed exile we country go-ers put ourselves thru –
As a veteran of many years up and down the 17 (the main road to the “country”), I come away from 9 mid-week separation with 3 things
1) I learn to appreicate how hard it is to cook / do laundry after a day’s work
2) by seeing how many families truly work (kids, spouses, helping out, temper ect) I learn to appreciate my spouse and family all the more.
3) see how, despite the sacrafices I need to make for the sake of sholom bayis / raising a family, the alternative (being alone) is far worse.
Like all separations / challenges, you can use the time to brood and curse your fate, or use it as a springboard to see how fortunate you are.
Besides, its only 9 weeks, not the end of the world.