It has now been almost 48 hours since he left. I am getting used to the single-parent thing again and thought I would bust out this blog post before all the emotion of the day is gone. I continue to watch the news coverage of his deployment day and I am constantly reminded about how proud I am of him and all the other military service members that do this. I mean, really do this…they pack up their bags for an unknown amount of time, they try to cram as much time in with their children and spouse, they say goodbye to us with tears in their eyes, knowing that they are going to a place with probably not-so-great living arrangements, unknown dangers, and constant reminders of how it is so much better to be at home with their family. My husband and your military members choose this occupation. They go to defend our country in any way possible. They have “american blood” flowing through their veins. I’ll say it again…I am so PROUD of him and I am so PROUD to be a Military Spouse!
…So we said goodbye on Friday. How long…unsure.
I caught him looking at something while getting ready, not knowing that the flag on our wall was faintly in the background. Very fitting I thought. He hates it when I snap these pics. Sorry honey.
This is what an “unknown” amount of time warrants in packing. I sure hope the zippers hold. The bottom bags get loaded as cargo and he carries the top backpack and sleeping bag on his back, along with wearing his vest, which is about 60 pounds alone. Ouch!
Cooper’s class made Scott a book full of letters, each written from his classmates. They asked questions about flying, Afghanistan, and what he will eat while he is gone. But the most touching was that the students said they would play with Cooper while he was gone. How sweet is that!
Here he is talking to his group just before they were to board the busses to go through a long “get-all-your-stuff” process.
At the end of the process that families meet them again in the terminal so they can wait with them until they board the plane. We have a great team that puts together “Operation Proud Farewell”. OPF feeds our members before the long flight, with food donated from the community. They also provide snacks, pillows, etc. for the airmen to take with them.
So the time finally comes where you have to say goodbye. Scott walked us to the car and the rest of the emotion is in the pics. Goodbyes are very hard for both of us. Gosh, I love this man.
11 comments