It Never Gets Any Easier To Say Goodbye...

(Isn't my hubby such a good sport for sitting through all those last-day-together pics?)

I don't know why I even try to convince myself that it will ever get easier to say goodbye to my soldier when he leaves for deployment.  No matter how much I reassure myself that we have done this before and we will be okay, the result is always the same: A LONG last day filled with unspoken dread that ends with one last tear-filled hug where we cling to each other as if it were possible an embrace could make him stay, followed by three or four "last kisses" because one just never cuts it.

Then there is the long drive home - with his seat empty - warm tears flowing down your cheeks, trying to get it all out (seriously, you CAN do this despite the feelings of terror and all the scenarios of what could go wrong playing out in your head.) so you can put on your battle face at home ,and reassure those sad little faces with promises that time will pass quickly and how much fun it will be to Skype, write letters, and send packages.  Then the tears come again when you find yourself cold in the night and you move to snuggle up like you always do, but those warm, comforting arms are not there to take you in.  And again in the morning when you reach out to feel him in bed, again like always, and you remember he's gone and you will wake up alone day after day after day.

So here we are facing yet another deployment, month after month without our husband, father, handyman, and friend.  It's a sad and heartbreaking part of military life, but the good news is that while the goodbye never gets easier the actual deployments do.  Yes, things (oh-so-many things) will go wrong and you will have days that end with you curled up in the fetal position in your bed, but you have survived before and you will make it through again.  Military wives are strong and we can take anything life throws our way.

To all my fellow milspouses who are currently facing a deployment or have one coming up, you are in my thoughts and prayers as I know we are in yours.  Take comfort in the letters you get, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.  Oh, and be sure to buy chocolate and ice cream...because some days you're just gonna need it!  And the countdown to tears of joy when you see him again begins...

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