Friday, May 11, 2012
One Year Ago
One year ago today I hugged my husband goodbye. I watched the news to see the aircraft carrier pull out on it's maiden deployment.
USS George HW Bush leaving last May
There is something incredibly somber about carrier deployments. They usually leave in the wee hours of the morning, before the world has really woken up. There are usually some brave family members who stand at the gates and wave goodbye as the tug boats push their loved ones away. Living in Norfolk I see lots of carriers come and go. Even after three deployments of our own, there is something about watching 5,000 people deploy at once that is sobering. That is 5,000 families steeling themselves for at least seven months without their father, mother, husband, or wife. It is sad. Last May, I was incredibly sad.
And scared.
Connor turned six months old the day John left. Kate was just 22 months. I was in a new (to me) home facing down at least seven months of solo parenting. I was wondering how I was going to live without John - without his help, his conversation, his companionship. Connor wasn't sleeping very well, I was still nursing, Kate was a demanding toddler, and neither of them went to school/daycare. Ever. I was seriously worried that John would come home to a woman who only spoke toddler. What adult would want to hang out with me?
A picture I took of Kate and Connor the night before John left last year (5/10/11)
It is really weird to think that it has been a whole year since that emotional day. Since then we completed our deployment, had an amazing homecoming, and have been enjoying a lot of good family time. At this time last year I was doing what many spouses in their first few days of deployment do: try super hard not to cry, hold it together, and put one foot in front of the other. For me, the first two weeks and the last two weeks of deployment are the hardest. And the first and last 24 hours are the most emotional and full of anxiety.
Oh what a difference a year makes. Connor is now a crazy 18 month old and Kate is a spunky almost 3 year old. I am looking forward to a summer full of family vacations and day trips to the beach. I'm not worried about doing things solo or surviving without John. I feel incredibly lucky.
With that, I am spending today remembering the families who have deployed family members and who are about to say goodbye. I have several girlfriends whose husbands are about to leave on the USS Eisenhower for a slated 9 month deployment. I don't pity them because I know they will do wonderful things while their spouses are away. But I respect them. And I respect the challenges they will face.
With Memorial Day around the corner I hope everyone will keep military families - both past and present - in your thoughts and prayers. There are many men and women out there who have given the ultimate sacrifice. There are thousands more who are away from their families this summer so that you can be carefree at the beach with your loved ones.
"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." -Cynthia Ozick
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Hi, I'm Jill!
Extrovert. Mom of two. Wife of a cute Naval Aviator. Lover of wine. When I'm not chasing my two kids around town you will find me writing, taking too many photos, and researching the ten future areas the Navy could potentially (but probably won't) PCS us. We are fish out of water, landlocked at 7,000 feet. For now.
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2 comments:
It never feels like it goes by quickly until it's over for me. You have a beautiful family!
My husband is a P-3 NFO, getting ready to leave on his third, but mine and the kids' first deployment. I love your blog, it's helped me stay positive about what's to come.
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