We knew it was coming and it came. In a manner in which we were not fond of but what can you do? When you are told you are going to be delayed a couple of days and instead show up to work the day before you were supposed to leave and told, "Go home, get your bags, your leaving in two hours." Yeah, not what we wanted.
Dan came home packed those last few things he hadn't. Said one last family prayer and he was gone again in ten minutes. For the children anyway. I got to take him alone since my sister was still at my house from Christmas. I stayed for long as they would let me and for as long as I could see Dan in those buses they had crammed them into to take them to the plane.
I have already heard from him twice on the phone and one email. He is fine but tired.
Day full one was good. Worked out at the Y. Took the kids back a few hours later to swim with friends, she let me take off and do some clearance shopping. Stayed up till 1 am though, playing with my new ipod nano and I am not so good and going to bed alone at the beginning.
Day full two, eh. Still in my pajamas. I have done some cleaning. A lot of reading, I got five books for Christmas, yeah. Haven't even brushed my hair. DD had some weird non-descript illness, aches and a fever. Whatever.
I did find online on some other military blogs the donut of misery (some say hope). An excel thing that calculates how many days they have been gone, how many left, minutes, weeks, etc. I put in Dan's info. We have no idea when he'll be home, 2009 is a long way out to plan ahead but I just put it in for 450 days which is 15 months exactly. Just to ballpark it. I'll have to put it on when it actually shows something. Right now it says 0% done and fresh off the jet. So right now I'll keep my donut of misery to myself. I'll share it when it starts seeming like a Donut of Hope.
It has begun.
8 comments:
Oh sweetie... I'm so sorry. I know ya'll knew this was coming, but I know how hard it is when it actually happens.
When my nephew deployed in December 06, it was only for a year, then the 15 month thing came along, so now he is due back the middle of January. His younger brother deploys sometime this spring, or so they say. He was supposed to deploy in September, then October, then November, then December... I wonder if they'll just send him off too, without any forewarning?
You'll be in my prayers, your husband, too... wish I was there to hug you right now. :-)
Wow, I can't imagine how hard that must be to let him go like that. I'll be praying for his safe return with you.
Hey Cristtin, I just saw this on the site of the friend of a friend - it's a Daddy Doll, check it out (http://mdbeau.blogspot.com/2007/12/daddy-doll.html)
Oh. I'll call you tomorrow. (Since it's already after midnight, I guess that's later today then.) Come back here to the frozen north and hang with us till he gets back. :)
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We hope for his quick, safe return. Come visit us if you get bored or lonely k?
Love, Abbey
Oh, Cristtin, I don't know how you do it. You've been in my thoughts and prayers for a while, but especially now since Mike told me how it happened. I'm sorry it had to be such an abrupt thing. Wish I could be there to help you out a bit.
Thank-you everyone so much. It means a lot to me. It would be so cool to just pack up and come see you all. Nikki, I would love a trip to the great white north but maybe when its back to green. I miss you. But hey, Abbey, you're South so that's not bad. I wish I could. Bug would love to see your son. Everyone, thanks again. My blog and these comments really does make me a little less lonely.
Just came by to see how you're doing, I've been thinking about you. Hope you and your family are having a good start to the New Year and doing something fun together. (((Hugs)))
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