Thursday, August 19, 2010

Some Things Never Change.



Yeah, I know. It's been more than a month since I've posted. Not for lack of things happening in our lives, it's just finding the time to do it in. We have been working lots of hours - which is good because it keeps us old folks busy. But I've been avoiding this post because it means that I have to admit Stephen will be leaving shortly for THAT place again. And so, like any red blooded American military mom of two soldiers, it has begun again. You know...the not knowing the exact date but knowing it's coming soon. The fact that our daughter will be without her husband for another year...and more, since she will deploy somewhere before he gets home. And then there is Kasey, and how he must feel but doesn't let on except in the occasional temper tantrum. At home, at school, at Grandma's and Grandpa's...he's not too picky about where it's going to be. And you know what? Sometimes even the usually mild mannered me wants to have one right along with him. Anyone have some cheese to go with my whine?
But I figured it would be a good night to post because it's one of those nights when I want to go to bed, but not before I know I am sleepy enough to go to sleep because IT is back.
You know, the thinking thing. The staring at the ceiling in the dark, trying not to look at the clock because surely it hasn't been 2 hours since you got in bed. has it? Oh, and did I mention the thinking? If you are a military mom, or spouse, or loved one, you can relate.
We are a blessed family - we have seen 3 deployments for Stephen, and 3 times he has come home safely. Laurie is doing well in her program, and is happy in it. She will deploy shortly after it is completed. We are healthy and able to take care of Kasey when the kids need us - and this will be coming soon. For awhile it will be us, a little boy, his dog, our dog, and Laurie - a wife and mommy and a dear daughter who will be missing her husband. But we are blessed because not every family has the structure we have. Not every grandma and grandpa has the trust of their children to take care of their own child. And we are thankful that we are now in the same city with Laurie and Stephen, because it seems very important to Stephen to want to stop over for a little while, just to spend some time with us. It's nice and we are grateful for this. This morning he brought Kasey over for the day - Stephen had some extra time and decided to just sit and have some coffee with me. Ron was at the VA clinic for some blood tests, and got home in time to share some of this visit too. We don't have to talk to be comfortable - there is always an easy silence - no pregnant pauses, just an easy silence. It's comfortable, you know? And it's
reassuring to have him want to be here with us.
Ok, so "it's" back. But there are also some things which haven't ever left that far outweigh the troubled and worrisome days and nights of this thing called deployment - and pre-deployment.
They are: Faith and Trust.
I guess I can go to bed now.
Blessings,
Sue