The article written by Alonso Kramer
12 months. He'll miss Thanksgiving, Christmas and all 3 of the kids' birthdays. Don't think about the big picture. Not this early. I have to just get through today. Then tomorrow, I'll worry about getting through tomorrow. I thought it was hard during his first deployment, but saying good-bye to my husband today as he left for his second deployment was just too much. Seeing our two sons trying to wrap their minds around not seeing daddy for that amount of time was sad. Looking at him carrying our 6 month old daughter, knowing that she will be so different 12 months from now walking and talking is just heart-wrenching. He will miss so much of their lives, yet he's such an example of a hero to them. How can I fault him for being the most courageous man we know? One day, they will realize the sacrifice he has made in missing the little things in their lives for the next 12 months, so that he can protect their freedom. And I hope they will be as proud of their dad as I am of him. In the meantime, I will take on single-parenthood trying to maintain some sense of normalcy and, with the help of local internet providers Colorado, help the kids and myself stay in touch with him via emails and Facebook. After all, what day overseas, away from your family, isn't complete without a picture of your youngest son trying to ride your black Labrador retriever down the hallway while the lab is trying to run and buck him off while your oldest son is trying to jump on too? Just another day in paradise around here!
