If Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder....

The Millers November 2012

... then fonder has begun.  Words penned by my husband on his way to Afghanistan.

I really debated on blogging or even taking pictures of our farewell this morning because they can be kind of a private thing.   The more I thought about it, I thought the world needs to be reminded that there is still a war.  There are still Soldiers deploying.  There are still families waving good-bye until the buses are out of sight.

This is our third go around with deployments.  It's been different each time.  The first time, Steven signed in and was told he had 15 days and he was leaving for Iraq.  We had a 5 month old baby at the time.  Communications were very limited.  A few emails.  Rarely a phone call, but never a good connection when we did receive one.

The second deployment Steven commanded and it was a complete whirl wind.  We had more notice than 15 days and our baby was now 3.  Communications were better.  More frequent emails and the phone system seemed to have less of a delay. 

Our third deployment has been interesting.  We stood on a field not far from the where we stood 6 years ago.  This time our baby is 9 and we've added a Dude, 4.  Emails will probably be multiple times a day.  There may even be Skype!  But there is still that strange emotion between sadness and missing, but this is now old hat because it's away of life. 

I watched newly weds say tearful good-byes, other kids hold on to their mom or dad for one last hug (we had about 4 one last hugs), parents from far away coming to see their sons or daughters off.  So many of these Soldiers are now on the third, forth or even fifth combat tour.

The war has now been put in the back of people's mind because it's gone on so long.  It was barely mentioned in the presidential debates.  The homecomings aren't quite what they used to be.   My husband is a writer and during this deployment he is going to do his best to remind America of the men and women who are deployed.    And as a blogger, I'm going to share my story, as well as my fellow Army families. 

 

It's not the easiest life, but I wouldn't have chosen any other

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We love you!!