To The Mommy Back Home

My sister’s husband arrived today in the Middle East for his second deployment since the Iraq war began.   (I’m not writing where specifically, for obvious reasons.)   Though a Naval flight officer, he will be serving with an Army unit for the next seven months.   My sister waits at home with her two daughters, Kaitie and Kristen, ages 4 and 3:

   I have to admit that I don’t fare well when Casey is away on business for two nights, and I cannot begin to imagine kissing my husband goodbye for the better part of a year.   I think of how Kenny asks about “Dada” all day, asking when he’s coming home, if he’ll play his guitar, and if they can play hide and seek.   I think of those nights when Casey has had to work late, or been out of town, and  when I put Kenny to bed, how I can just tell that he’s waiting and delaying going to sleep, just in case Daddy’s about to walk through the door.   I can’t fathom having to explain to my child that Daddy’s not going to be back until next fall.   I can’t even comprehend sitting down, after the kids go to bed, night after night alone.The movies make it seem so romantic about the faithful housewife keeping the homefires burning, bravely raising the kids, and loyally waiting for the day her handsome sailor walks back through the front door.   But I think it’s anything but romantic, and anything but a fairytale.   I think it’s mean, heartbreaking and sad to take a husband and father away from his wife and kids for seven months.     And yet I support the US effort in Iraq and Afghanistan.   I support our President.   As much as I hate to see that my little sister is suffering while her husband leaves to  serve, I’m grateful for what he’s doing and proud that he is standing with so many others to fight for what is right.

I wish I could write an entire essay in tribute to my sister, and all the other military spouses who have been left behind, but all I can say is simply,

Hang in there, I love you, and I’m praying for you all.