The Final Hours
The final hours before a deployment or an extended TDY are the worst. The pit that’s been growing in your stomach slowly rises and lodges itself in your throat. Each passing minute brings another last moment. This is the last time he’ll tuck them in for a long time. This is the last story he’ll read, the last prayer, the last hug, the last kiss.
A million tasks, both big and small, steal the time. The to-do list grows longer, then shorter until there is nothing left. Brave smiles betray the emotions that are brewing.
Finally it’s time. There’s not much more that can be said and nothing more that can be done. It’s time to say goodbye.
And just like that…he’s gone.
note: On Tuesday, February 5th, Philip left for what turned into a 4 week temporary duty assignment (TDY) in Afghanistan. In the interest of security – both mine and his- I chose not to mention it until he safely returned. However, I did continue to blog during this time and over the next several days I’ll share those posts with you in the order they were written. Philip will have some guest posts, too, as I share some of the emails he sent.
You military wives amaze me! Was he able to check in with your blog to see how the family was doing? I can imagine that would be a comfort that soldiers of today have that they have never had before. Can’t wait to read your thoughts even in retrospect!
Lorri…glad he’s home safely. I have a very good friend that just returned home after a year long mission in Afghanistan. I give you and all the other brave families that deal so beautifully with the challenges they face on a daily basis.
God Bless you all and all of the men and women doing their duty to help continue our way of life.
Bless you, bless you.
You are making me cry.
I’m so happy to hear he’s home safe. Thank you and your family for all you do.
I have a friend in NC whose husband recently returned from a year long deployment. I know she was thrilled to have him home and we all celebrated with her!
I look forward to reading thoses posts as well as Phillip’s
I wish our media & our higher ups would follow your example in keeping a lid on things – in the interest of security. May God bless you for your service to our country & those countries who benefit from our care.