Good byes hurt

Last year, our son volunteered for a 4 month deployment to 'Southeast Asia'. (He told us recently that the government of the country he has deployed to asks that he not broadcast his whereabouts. I don't understand why but will do my civic duty and remain 'mum'.) A hint: Nick will not be needing his rain gear as this country is arid and hot. Expatriates outnumber the native population and this country has the second highest per capita income in the world...


(This country also boasts that it has the most opulent mall in the world!)


At any rate, a four month deployment is baby cakes compared to the normal twelve to eighteen month stint away from home and loved ones which the majority of our armed forces experience....

.... until the soldier must say good-bye to his 9 month old baby boy. Lower lip trembles, eyes fill with tears and spill over. A soft sob is heard. A final embrace with baby boy who has no clue that he'll likely be walking before he sees his daddy again.

Nick's days, filled with long hours of work and interspersed with the novelties of exploring a new country and culture, will likely speed by quickly.

Broken down into smaller increments, "thinking 17 weeks feels more manageable than four months", says Courtney. She is already counting the days until Nick's return.

Thankfully, frequent contact via modern technology in the form of i phones, skype, and internet access will keep Nick abreast of Cooper's firsts: crawling, walking, and his first birthday party.

Our daughter experienced the long goodbye while Matt deployed twice to Iraq for twelve months. Having moved 1,400 miles away from home, she endured his second deployment away from family and close friends. That year, a low-grade, nagging worry about the welfare of both Matt and Stephanie made its nest in the recesses of our parental brains.

I so empathize and appreciate our military including each and every family member.

Allow me to reiterate a phrase we hear bantered about: Thank you for your service to our country.