Deployments...

I feel blessed that my husband is home right now.  His ship comes and goes and his days at work are long.  But we have the occasional weekend to look forward to.  And should he not pass out right after dinner on the couch, I have a helper at home to do the bath time routine for the kids.  So I know I am lucky.  Daddy is home.

Three of my good friends recently had to say good bye to their husbands on deployment.  Different ships.  Different missions.  Different cities.  But the tears and hugs are very much the same.  And it makes me so sad. 

Being a military spouse living on a military base, my life is filled with military friends.  While that means being surrounded by people who "get it," it also means that the struggles and stresses of deployment are very much real.  There is always a little girl crying for her daddy in the middle of the night.  There is always a little baby born while daddy is gone.  There are always moms who put on their super mom capes and masks as soon as the ship leaves the pier to somehow do it all while their husband is gone.  And those active duty moms...I cannot even begin to imagine how they do it. 

I'm not sure what the point of this post is.  I think that it's basically to say to my amazing milspouse friends...I love you dearly.  You all amaze me and inspire me.  I know how hard deployments are and I don't think they ever get easy.  But I also know that you are all awesome.  That doesn't mean you have to do it on your own though.  Ask for help.  Call me.  Show up at my door.  Just drop off your children to get your nails done.  I am here for you.  All of us are here for you.  I know that when it's my turn, you will be there for me.  But for now, let me be your shoulder and your helping hand.

And to our loved ones at sea - fair winds and following seas...