10/8/2007
Remembering
soldierswife says,
Today I was reading a book that brought back some memories of Husbands deployment.
It was talking about soldiers going to the showers after an explosion near the base had woken everyone up. I remember AS telling me how he would shower every few days. I would joke with him about how gross that sounded. And he would assure me he was using extra deodorant in between those days.
Or the times when we got to see each other on vid cam. I would watch him pack his gear before a mission. Or unpack afterwards. I remember seeing his room behind him- the snacks sent from home, the cards from the kids. How I felt so lonely without him. And how he must feel without us. I remember watching him go to sleep on numerous occasions. It was nice to see him slip into bed, pull up the covers, blow me a kiss for night, and fall asleep. It made me feel closer to him. After that I would go back to bed knowing he was in the same place as me.
Or one night I was talking to him and all I could hear in the background was gun fire. And then the phone went dead. He called me back to say things were not so quiet that night. I remember wondering how anyone could sleep through all of that.
Then there was the time he said he really wanted me to send him his favortie- scoops and salsa. So I did. But by the time it got there the box had been dropped and the salsa jar cracked. He said it was wet and smelled of salsa. But he was glad that I at least tried to get it to him.
And everyone now and again I will hear songs that make me think of his being gone. There’s one by Rascal Flats, “What hurts the most”. That one never fails to bring me to the verge of tears.
It’s amazing that it’s been a year and a half since he’s been home and I can still be brought to tears thinking about him being gone. And the small things that make me remember what it was like while he was gone.
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((hugs))
Web Reconnaissance for 10/09/2007…
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It also doesn’t seem possible that it has been a year and a half since AS came home. Sometimes the time seems to go so quickly, othertimes not as quick.
Both of you have memories that are very different from each other. You will never forget those memories: The times of seperation, the times of danger, times that you were apart.
Now, with both of you together, even though you both will never forget what has happened, you can now make new memories as a couple raising up a child.
You both are still in my prayers.
It’s funny how time passes, yet some things never really leave you. I will never forget the first time I saw Keith. How nervous I was, and how excited I was to meet him- and scared too. I remember the first time I read this site, and how AS described telling the family that he was deploying again. The way he talked about his long drive home and the career decisions he was facing. I remember him talking about NOLA. I remember how tenderly he speaks of you, Mrs. AS, and your children. I remember so much, and I know it’s taken place over the past several years, but so much of it seems so fresh, raw and new, it’s truly amazing sometimes.
One of the things I’ll remember most about the 07 Milblog Conf was when you two approached me, both wearing nametags with your real names on them. AS said “Hi” and then leaned in, whispering, “I’m American Soldier”. I was SHOCKED!!! THRILLED!! It was SO GOOD to actually meet you both. I will always remember meeting you two.
Beautifully written. Its especially poignant since I am in a similar position now. Thank you for sharing with us. Angel hugs.
Soldier’s Wife - We successfully sent several salsa and chips shipments to our sons in Iraq. 1) priority mail, gets there in 10 days, 2) find hardest, least ripe avacados, wrap in black garbage bag plastic then place in a sealed snaptight container, 3) multiple bottles of salsa with several layers of bubble wrap, 4) multiple bags of chips, 5) avacado masher, 6) other fixings - lemons, other seasonings. Then ship in box with bubble wrap liner, two layers, plus styrofoam popcorn. Our experience - avocado’s are just right, and the guys really enjoyed the treat.
Wow, my husband has been home about 2 years, and I remember how important those little glimpses into his life were when I’d see him on the webcam. Thanks for bringing back some memories.