update~ January 2016

So, I am woefully remiss in regards to this blog. I'm going to do better!! 

 All is well and my son is still a sailor, still a nuke and is doing great! 

This pic is from a port stop in Hawaii. 

It was a quick stop right before the ship's homecoming 

from a long deployment to the Middle East. 

I was VERY BLESSED to be able to go to San Diego and
see his ship come in.If you have a deployed sailor I strongly urge you
to attend this event if you possibly can!

It is worth every penny! I can say, with NO hesitation, that this event 
was one of the most amazing things that I have ever experienced! 

I will write an in-depth post about it, but trust me when I tell you

it is incredible! My son was deployed for almost 10 months.

Seeing that massive aircraft carrier come into view,
 the rails lined with sailors in dress whites, 

is a sight I will never forget!  

And the moment when I laid my eyes on my son after so long...

well, what can I say? My heart was so full, so very full!

~♥~

This is how it is when your child chooses to serve.

It is  series of hugs... good-bye, hello, good-bye.

It is trying make a thousand memories in a few days,

enough to last you until the next time. 

It is hard and beautiful and bittersweet.

And if you are lucky, despite the distance and the time apart,

you will see that familiar grin and know

that your sailor is still yours, still that boy (or girl)

that grew up so fast... and you will know

that you are blessed.

~♥~

the long deployment

My son deployed last summer...

 and is still at sea... and is not on the way home yet.

This will be the longest USN deployment 

since Viet Nam by the time it is completed.

A lot has happened since he left... seasons and holidays have passed.

I have sent LOTS of care packages...

including these Christmas ones that LIT UP.

My son said his shipmates were impressed! ;) 

I have grown to LOVE the bubbly sound

my phone makes when I get a Skype message

at odd hours.

My sailor has seen a bit of the world...

Christmas in Dubai~ he'll always remember that.

He stood watch on Christmas day, but had 

a few days off before. 

 There have been other ports and there are more to come. 

He has been part of something important

while in the Persian Gulf for all these months. 

He has seen a lot... but mostly this. 

He has not complained to me one time. 

~♥~

And I have kept the "home fires burning"...

Deployment.

You count the days.

You send packages

 and email.

You love Skype and Viber.

 You cherish port calls

because your sailor has some fun 

and you get phone calls.

You try not to think 

 about how dangerous the waters 

of the Persian Gulf are.

You pray.

And you have a grateful heart

for this grand and noble adventure.

~♥~