This Memorial Day weekend was a very special one. Our friend, who has been deployed to Iraq since last year, returned home and we got to visit! Last year in April, we were informed that our friends were going to be deployed with their unit to Iraq. Micahel had been a part of this military police unit a few years back when they deployed to Saudi Arabia, and had become close friends with many members of the unit. I know Mike secretly wished he could go with them and be with his friends. I wonder if he felt guilty in a way...I guess he will have to tell you more about that (If he ever uses this!) Anyway, at first we didn't think they were leaving until July, and since two of the members of this unit where in our wedding, we were relieved! We wanted them to be a part of our special day too. Unfortunately, their mobilization time was moved up and they left in mid-June. We missed them very much on our day, and had our DJ play a song in honor of them and their wives who got to come and celebrate with us.
The whole year they were gone I was so relieved that Michael didn't have to go with them. I knew the mission they were on and was secretly grateful my husband was no longer a part of the military poilice unit. We said prayers everday, and surprisingly the year seemed to fly by. Let's hope the same is true of this coming year. Pat was sent home a few weeks ago to complete a school, and our other friend Page was sent home last week as part of the advanced party. The rest of the unit will be returning this week. I have no idea what the families are going through right now. I am sure excitement and anxiousness are all mixed together. Now, instead of being thankful he didn't go, I am secretly wishing he did so my year of waiting would be over.
On Sunday night we went and saw Pat. It was so great to see him. We got to see pictures from Iraq and talk about his experiences. I know Michael was very excited to see him (even if he won't admit it!) We also talked about Mike's upcoming deployment. Pat and his wife are very supportive and promised to take care of me and keep me busy. I am so thankful for all of our friends, and especially on Memorial Day, all of those who serve our country. Welcome Home!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Hopes
Hope is a funny thing. It is fleeting, but when you have it, it feels like everything might actually work out. When Michael is deployed, he actually has a pretty good mission. I will not say exactly what he will be doing or where because of safety, but if he has to be in the Middle East, this job would be the closest thing I would consider to being safe. I was comforted by this fact. I also worried about the communication overseas. You hear stories about families not hearing from loved ones for weeks at a time. Since Michael is assigned to this job, he will be able to access at least one form of communication on any given day. This doesn't mean he will call everyday, but it is nice to know it's possible.
Hope. It can make a bad situation seem bearable. But then sometimes, hope seems to change. Now the job that he has is still what I would call 'safe.' (I don't know if this is possible in a war zone, but I like to think so) And then my loving husband informs me that mortar rounds go off everyday and no matter how many men in uniform are on base, there is always danger. Maybe I didn't need to know everything. At some point last week, Michael also informed me there would be a phone in his office. Again, hope reared it's ugly head. Even though my husband likes to protect me, he doesn't want to get my hopes up. I was informed that communication is sporadic and just because he has a phone doesn't mean he can use it. I was also told at some point that if he doesn't hear from me for awhile it could be because something has happened to one of the units on base and they have a blackout. This prevents bad news from getting to families before they are informed. Wow. Comforting. I know it is important to know these things so I don't get my hopes up and expect a phone call everyday, but can't a girl catch a break? If I can't touch him or see him I at least want to hear his voice. Hope. I am sure it's not the last time this feeling somehow can so quickly vanish.
Hope. It can make a bad situation seem bearable. But then sometimes, hope seems to change. Now the job that he has is still what I would call 'safe.' (I don't know if this is possible in a war zone, but I like to think so) And then my loving husband informs me that mortar rounds go off everyday and no matter how many men in uniform are on base, there is always danger. Maybe I didn't need to know everything. At some point last week, Michael also informed me there would be a phone in his office. Again, hope reared it's ugly head. Even though my husband likes to protect me, he doesn't want to get my hopes up. I was informed that communication is sporadic and just because he has a phone doesn't mean he can use it. I was also told at some point that if he doesn't hear from me for awhile it could be because something has happened to one of the units on base and they have a blackout. This prevents bad news from getting to families before they are informed. Wow. Comforting. I know it is important to know these things so I don't get my hopes up and expect a phone call everyday, but can't a girl catch a break? If I can't touch him or see him I at least want to hear his voice. Hope. I am sure it's not the last time this feeling somehow can so quickly vanish.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Graduation Day!
Today was a wonderful day for both of our families! Tonight, at 6:15, Michael's brother, Justin, and my sister-in-law, Sarah, graduated! Even though the field didn't have grass, so technically they couldn't 'walk the green,' the sun was out and it was a wonderful occasion. I believe Justin's mom even shed a tear or two for her 'baby!' Congratulations to both of them as they begin a new part in their lives.
Meanwhile, Mike and I only have 5 student days left! (Not that anyone is counting, of course.) I love my students to death, but there is a point in the year where it is time to move on! After the state test, it is always hard to reign the kids in and convince them there is still more that needs to be learned. Since the state test was so early this year, it has become increasingly difficult as the weeks have gone on. Both the teachers and students need a break! I am taking some Master's courses this summer, while waitressing and teaching summer school, so I guess I am not technically taking a break, but it does break the routine. Mike will be training for his coming deployment. He will leave two days after school lets out for three weeks. Those are always interesting times! At least I have my kids (Rocky, a boxer, Titan, a little rat as my Pop calls him, and Remy, our SPCA adoption!) Life is never dull around here!
Tomorrow begins the start of Memorial Day weekend! Mike and I will be relaxing and enjoying our time off (since I actually don't work at the restaurant until Monday!) We hope everyone else has a wonderful weekend!
Meanwhile, Mike and I only have 5 student days left! (Not that anyone is counting, of course.) I love my students to death, but there is a point in the year where it is time to move on! After the state test, it is always hard to reign the kids in and convince them there is still more that needs to be learned. Since the state test was so early this year, it has become increasingly difficult as the weeks have gone on. Both the teachers and students need a break! I am taking some Master's courses this summer, while waitressing and teaching summer school, so I guess I am not technically taking a break, but it does break the routine. Mike will be training for his coming deployment. He will leave two days after school lets out for three weeks. Those are always interesting times! At least I have my kids (Rocky, a boxer, Titan, a little rat as my Pop calls him, and Remy, our SPCA adoption!) Life is never dull around here!
Tomorrow begins the start of Memorial Day weekend! Mike and I will be relaxing and enjoying our time off (since I actually don't work at the restaurant until Monday!) We hope everyone else has a wonderful weekend!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The News...
Our journey began around 4 months ago. It was a normal Sunday night after Michael had returned home from drill. I had cooked dinner (if you know me at all, you know this probably consisted of either spaghetti or French toast!), and we were just finishing up. Michael began, "Well, I have good news and I have bad news..." I knew there was no way this could end in a good way. He informed me that he was being transferred to a different unit, which I knew he wanted because he is due for a promotion and in his current position, this promotion was not possible. He then informed that the unit he was transferred to was rumored to be deployed in September of this year.
And so it began....
As the time I don't think I understood the gravity of the situation. He had not yet received his mobilization order, so nothing was confirmed. Even now, as he has his mob order (as of March), I don't think it has fully sunk in. I take for granted everyday that my husband gets up first and lets the dogs out so I can sleep an extra 15 minutes. I take for granted that he is there to cook me breakfast (and dinner) or pay the bills. I have people who hear that he is being deployed and they ask how I am doing. The honest answer is I am not sure. With a little over four months to go, I still don't think I completely have internalized it. Everyday is normal to me. We get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner and go to bed. The only times when it become real is when I attend our Family Readiness Meetings once a month. I have taken a position on the executive committee so I can stay informed. (Again if you know anything about me, you know I have a tendency to volunteer for everything!) When I attend the meetings and they talk about the emotional cycle we can expect to have or what to expect during the reunion (which by the way I think is RIDICULOUS to discuss when they haven't even left and I can't imagine saying 'goodbye' let alone welcoming him home) it seems to hit me a little bit harder. But then, I go back to my normal days and again the deployment is just something in the distance I don't have to think about yet. The other common response I get to this news is, "I am so sorry to hear that." I have no idea how to respond to this. Am I sorry that I will be without my husband of not even a year, for a year? Yes, of course, but he has volunteered for this job. He loves it. The soldiers he is in charge of are his family. Their families, are our friends. I am so proud of him for what he does that I can't even begin to describe it. Don't be sorry for us, or sad to hear it. Instead, thank him for what he does.
We decided to start this blog so our friends and family can see how we are doing. Michael won't be able to call everyone while he is gone, (I have made him promise to call me every chance he can - sorry kids) but hopefully he can update on here. I am not the type of person who voices how I feel all the time, so I am hoping this will be a good outlet for me. We will be half a world apart, living very separate lives. We hope you will share this year with us.
And so it began....
As the time I don't think I understood the gravity of the situation. He had not yet received his mobilization order, so nothing was confirmed. Even now, as he has his mob order (as of March), I don't think it has fully sunk in. I take for granted everyday that my husband gets up first and lets the dogs out so I can sleep an extra 15 minutes. I take for granted that he is there to cook me breakfast (and dinner) or pay the bills. I have people who hear that he is being deployed and they ask how I am doing. The honest answer is I am not sure. With a little over four months to go, I still don't think I completely have internalized it. Everyday is normal to me. We get up, go to work, come home, eat dinner and go to bed. The only times when it become real is when I attend our Family Readiness Meetings once a month. I have taken a position on the executive committee so I can stay informed. (Again if you know anything about me, you know I have a tendency to volunteer for everything!) When I attend the meetings and they talk about the emotional cycle we can expect to have or what to expect during the reunion (which by the way I think is RIDICULOUS to discuss when they haven't even left and I can't imagine saying 'goodbye' let alone welcoming him home) it seems to hit me a little bit harder. But then, I go back to my normal days and again the deployment is just something in the distance I don't have to think about yet. The other common response I get to this news is, "I am so sorry to hear that." I have no idea how to respond to this. Am I sorry that I will be without my husband of not even a year, for a year? Yes, of course, but he has volunteered for this job. He loves it. The soldiers he is in charge of are his family. Their families, are our friends. I am so proud of him for what he does that I can't even begin to describe it. Don't be sorry for us, or sad to hear it. Instead, thank him for what he does.
We decided to start this blog so our friends and family can see how we are doing. Michael won't be able to call everyone while he is gone, (I have made him promise to call me every chance he can - sorry kids) but hopefully he can update on here. I am not the type of person who voices how I feel all the time, so I am hoping this will be a good outlet for me. We will be half a world apart, living very separate lives. We hope you will share this year with us.
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