Deployment Day #43

Today we went Christmas shopping for dad. I’m trying to get a box sent to him for Christmas but of course it’s already late in the month and I doubt it will get there before Christmas because the mail is really slow.

My kids who usually love to pick out gifts and shop in general, were noticeably sad as we put items in the cart.

I think for them, it hit home that dad wouldn’t be there on Christmas morning. Honestly, things have been so busy around here that I haven’t thought much about it, but seeing their faces as we shopped made it very real.

My kids love Christmas. They love everything about it. Tonight at dinner my four year old prayed…

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for our food and for Santa, even though he won’t make it snow. Please don’t let dad get killed.

Amen

Deployment life is strange. I don’t want my kids to forget the sacrifice their dad is making, but I also want them to be kids and enjoy this time of year. I think they all struggle not wanting to be either too happy or too sad. Today was definitely a sad day, so I’ve planned some fun distractions for tomorrow.

I can’t figure out if routine or distractions are a better way to make it through the holidays. When I was younger- and thought I knew it all, I would have preached the benefits of routine, but today I’m just not sure. Routine can end up being reminders when a big part of it is missing.

My husband has been deployed to the Middle East for 274 days.  These are my real thoughts expressing my heart during his absence.  I appreciate your prayers and kind words as we cope, adapt, and carry on without him until August 2014.  To read from the beginning, click here.