Deployments

Dear Becca,

I know I'll probably have to write my thoughts on deployments in stages but I want to start with this.  I believe every deployment we military wives go through, is an opportunity for us to grow.  To grow in the confidence we have in ourselves, but most of all to grow closer to God.  I couldn't have gotten through any of Joe's deployments without Him-especially when Joe was gone for a full year and my dear Granny was battling cancer at the same time.  He came home about 2 weeks before her death.  The deployments made me realize I was strong enough to get through them, but the strength came from God.  I'm going to be totally honest here, there are things I like about deployments, if they aren't too long!   I like having someone to miss, I love anticipating his return, I love receiving letters in the mail and I love the reunion.  There are always little things we can find that make difficult situations seem not so bad.  My girls have learned to tolerate the deployments, but they don't like them.  They didn't really know what a deployment was until they were 7 and 5, so that was a blessing to us.  My kids need me to be strong during the deployments and to not see me too sad, but there have been times when they've seen me cry-you can't hold back every emotion.  It's not fair to you or your kids.  Might as well be honest.

As I am able to, I promise to write more.  Just know I'm praying for you and your boys, and Mike, too.  You will get through this and you'll come out stronger because of it!