Yuk.

There are some really awesome things about the military....
The Balls
The Homecomings
The Traveling
Having friends all around the world
Being able to speak acronym

But today is not any of those.

Today is the yucky part.
Today we said goodbye.
For much of the year.

....explaining to your children when they see Daddy next, all 3 girls will have had a birthday, and they will be in different grades...might be one of my least favorite things to do ever.

Watching My Love read stories last night to each Bean, knowing that scene won't happen again, is a very hard thing to see.

He will not get to snuggle them as 7, 5, 3, and 2, again.

Watching the final bag get packed - the toiletries removed from the bathroom - the last flight suit, donned.
Loading it all in the car.
Pulling out of the garage as a family of 6.

Pulling into squadron,
unbuckling children,
individually hugging,
tears filling eyes,
arms gripping necks,
whispering goodbyes.

Rain falling, 
tears falling, 
pulling away, 
as a family of 5.

This has not been my easiest day.

I know we will be fine. We will all do our jobs and take care of our responsibilities at home and aboard the ship. But that doesn't make the tearing apart easier. You can prepare for a million things...but the pulling away without your favorite person? That always hurts. Every time. You learn how to handle it better - you have more tools in your arsenal each time - but it doesn't make the goodbye easier.

So, if I'm a little less chipper than usual, please forgive me. 

Today is my day I've allotted time to be sad.  

If I need a breakdown again....I should have time on Sunday night. 

~Whitney
 Copyright 2013