Have you ever had to say goodbye to your child for an extended period of time? I don’t mean for a weekend, or even a week, I am talking about a year. Well, having done it twice before (my daughter both times, first when I deployed to Bosnia, second when the Army moved me back to the US), I will tell you that it does NOT get easier with practice.
All this came about because I had my son this weekend. I was talking with him, and I gave him a hug and told him that I would miss him. We had already talked about my going away, but when I said that he asked, “I’m not going to see you again?â€
Man, that hit hard, and all the times that I have had to go away for work came crashing down on my shoulders.
I wish I could explain it. You see, I have been expecting to deploy since 2003, so I am not surprised about it. Unfortunately, I am going to miss MORE important days. I have missed so many birthdays, Christmases, Thanksgivings, New Years, etc., that it makes me sick. I will be told that I love my children and I do the best that I can, but, in my mind, the best that I can is NOT the best possible.
Here’s my dilemma… I love my work and I love my children. I simply cannot reconcile the job with my kids.
I’ll be glad when I retire.
Yep, Carlo, it’s a booger – been there.
Carlo, I just hope you are able to get out when you make that decision. I am hearing of those who are having to stay longer than they want. Who are having to stay in reserves which we know what happens there. When does it end these days?
wow , man, will be praying for you and the boy. It’s a good thing you do, but it must be very hard, as well.
I feel for you. Been on the other end of that as a military dependent. My Dad served on an ASW carrier during Vietnam. Two 6 month Gulf of Tonkin cruises in 65 & 66 when I was in elementary school. It was hard for my Mom. As a kid though I lived for his letters. Still have them and pull them out every once in awhile. Looking at it as an adult, it wasn’t much “Hey Bubba, How you doing? Me, I’m fine. Be a good boy and take care of your Mother” kind of thing. But they were and are precious memories to me. Good luck to you and come home safe. My neice’s husband deploys next month too. All of you will be in our thoughts & prayers.
I bet you know almost to the hour when retirement is. I can only imagine how many emotions you’ll go through. Just know we’re here. Keep the emails going to him. Communication makes things a bit better. I’ll be thinking of you.
Our prayers to you and yours my friend.
Hey Carlo, My dad didn’t serve, but I had two brothers who did. They were lucky that they weren’t married and had no children to leave behind. Still it was hard for the family to have them gone. One brother served in the Berlin Airlift in WWII, the other in the same war only this time he was watching our other border in Alaska. Both were in the Navy.
I will pray for you, your son & those you leave behind, and those who serve with you…..as I do every day for all our soldiers & sailors & airmen.