Thursday, February 5, 2009

How Families Feel When Dads Deploy

Yesterday I talked about my Dad and a possible deployment. I mentioned that I was happy that he wasn't going away in a few months; happy that he'd be home. But I also mentioned that I felt guilty for feeling that way. One, because he wanted to go and still wants to go. Two, because so many other military families have Dads and Moms deployed. Today I feel even more guilty.

I'm a big fan of the blog Big Blueberry Eyes. I've been a reader for more than a year and a half now. The family behind the blog is phenomenal. When I started reading, the military Dad in the family was deployed. I've continued to read - the Dad came home, a new baby was born, the family PCSed. And then today I read that Big Blueberry Eyes' Dad left again. For a year.

You should read the post about the family's goodbye. It made me cry - maybe because I know all too well what the family's little ones are going through. What Mom is going through, after all I've seen my Mom do it before.

The Mom behind this blog is incredible. Incredibly brave. Incredibly strong. So positive when it seems like she has more reasons not to be. I'm a huge fan of her strength, her outlook on life, her warm and loving heart. She loves being a military wife and stands proudly next to her husband. Today I send her warm wishes, positive thoughts and hugs. Best of luck to Big Blueberry Eyes' family over the next year. Let the countdown begin.

1 comment:

Michelle said...

I finally had a chance to read this post and leave a comment. Thank you so much for your very kind words and prayers regarding Joe's deployment...it really means a lot!

And I wanted to say, you don't have to feel guilty that you dad didn't end up deploying! That's a normal/natural feeling to be happy about! I remember when Joe deployed 1.5 yrs ago and I kept saying how glad I was he was only gone for 4 months and not 12. A friend of mine had her husband deploy for 15 mths (3 months of training before the deployment) and I felt guilty that mine was only gone for 4! But we should't feel guilty for our feelings. Anyway, thank you again, I really don't feel like the wonderful discriptors you used to describe me! I don't feel strong and brave...that's why I moved in with my mom! :)