It's evening time here in Japan {most of you are just waking up} and we have already had a full day here.
Today we said goodbye to my husband as he left for cruise...he'll be gone for 4 months...not long compared to the amount of time many military families have been separated from their loved ones. But it is a long time for my four year old daughter to understand. We watched the ship pull away early this morning~ we had the pleasure of watching it leave from our backyard. Our house sits on a hill that overlooks the water where the ship was docked. It was neat to look down to see "daddy's ship" so close to our house. Watching it pull away was exciting and sad. This is his first cruise as commanding officer of the ship {a pretty big job and we are super proud of him}. My daughter watched as he left and I explained he would be gone a long time and we would see him in about 4 months, which is a really long time but we will get to talk with him and skpe with him on the computer. She completely understood...so I thought. Within an hour she started to cry about something she couldn't do {remember she's four and she's a girl so this happens often} and she said tonight when Daddy gets home he will help her~ bless her little sweet heart. She will have many sad nights waiting for her daddy to walk through that door. She loves him...she LOVES him...with all her heart. As I type this she is curled up sound asleep at my side. Such a wonderful feeling to be next to her and know I will get to be here with her everyday. I cannot imagine how hard it must be for the Dads and Moms that must leave these precious children to do their job...my heart breaks for them.
Say a prayer for all of those who are separated from their children~ they would give anything to hear that laugh and smell that sweet smell of their child. And also say a prayer for all of those children who have to say goodbye to a mommy or daddy...it must be harder than we realize.
Be safe Captain...we will miss you!
You and your family will be in my prayers as I pray for others who make this crucial sacrifice for the rest of us. I do not take it for granted.
ReplyDeleteThank you, for everything!
What a sweet, sad post! My heart really went out to you and your daughter. Its not easy for you, either, to be left behind for 4 months in a new country. I actually met my husband when he was in the Navy and his ship docked in my hometown of Haifa, Israel. We went through several years of not seeing each other for long chunks at a time. Its hard! I can't imagine doing it now that we have a daughter. Anyways, sending you hugs from NJ!!
ReplyDeleteThinking about you all...we are so thankful for the sacrifices your family makes for our freedom!!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful words and a beautiful picture. I imagine this must be a hard time. I'll pray for your husband (for safety) and you and your daughter (for peace and good "girl-time").
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written. Your daughter is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMy husband left last week for four months as well. And like you, we are trying to keep it in perspective - it's such a short time compared to many! But we know it won't be easy, none the less. My daughter is 6 and having quite a hard time grasping the length of 4 months. My son is 4 and he's the same as your daughter - referring to when daddy will be home 'tonight.' Reading your post sounds so similar to our story! Sending thoughts and prayers your way. And, of course, to all the families who deal with even longer time away from their daddies and mommies. Hugs. :)
ReplyDeleteMarsha, I have been following your blog for awhile and just love it and all the great information you provide. I have been praying for your family since you left on this journey, and since we have never met it may sound strange that you are brought to my mind often. This posting brought tears to my eyes and I will certainly keep praying for your family and your husbands safe return.
ReplyDeleteThis touched my heart today and brought tears to my eyes...we are getting ready to move to Hawaii and my husband, who is a chaplain in the army, will deploy in spring for a year. My biggest fear is how my little boy will cope. They are the best of friends. My prayers go out to you and the rest of the military families whose loved one is deployed. Thank you for what you are doing as well! Praying for extra blessings on your sweet family!
ReplyDeleteA friend saw this and forwarded it to me. =)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely saying a prayer for y'all right now. And congrats to the CO.
My husband is currently on deployment as well, has been since May. They just hit port, but will soon be heading out again. I have a 3yr old and 2 yr old boys, and a 7mo old daughter.
I approach all things with them in the positive. "Daddy's on the sub!! Yay!!" If they can tell I'm sad, it will rub onto them. It doesn't make it any less hard, or miss him any less. I think they days that the boys are cranky, are the days they miss him and don't know how to convey their feelings.
If he's CO, then I assume you've been doing this for some time and know the ins and out better than I do.
I'm just hear to say Hello, and I hope that this time passes quickly for you and your family.
Sending thoughts and hugs for the next four months. I hope the pass quickly for the wee one (and her mommy and brothers too).
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet picture and story. I browse your blog a lot and love the inspiration here. THanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh Marsha,
ReplyDeleteThis post broke my heart. We haven't met, I periodically follow your blogs and so I know a little about you. First, moving to Japan and now saying goodbye to your husband has to be intensely painful. Furthermore, parenting alone can create incredible hardship. Your daughters confusion is so understandable and age appropriate. Time is so allusive to small children. Sending you strength, support & courage over the next 4 months.
Are you in Yokosuka or Sasebo? My husband is an Executive Officer on a ship in Yokosuka and we have 2 and 5 year old daughters, so I understand where you're at. Japan is such an amazing experience for our little ones though. Hoping your 4 months pass quickly and are full of fun and exciting opportunities and full of amazing photos to share with Daddy.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Angela
Take care of yourself, Marsha. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all that you share. I wish you and the Captain well! Peggy
ReplyDeleteThis made me all teary eyed! Wishing him safe travels and that the time he is gone goes by fast for you all!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me to be thankful! I adore the photo of your daughter, and your beautiful heart when it comes to children. Mine are 6 and 8 and I still love to smell them! I hope this time in Japan goes quickly for you...thank goodness for Skype!
ReplyDeleteLove, Stacy
Wow...I'm sitting here in the office where I work about to start balling. I have a 4-year-old son who cries when daddy just goes somewhere overnight. I just can't imagine the sacrifice you and your husband are making. My heart goes out to you, your daughter, and your husband. Thank you for sharing this delicate moment with others.
ReplyDeleteI'm crying....
ReplyDeleteI do not fulling understand this separation but I can feel a bit of it. My husband sometimes works terribly long hours and most of the summer he has been leaving for work before my 5yo wakes. It was really hard for her and she would cry everyday when she realized that she didn't get to wave good-bye to her dad, a morning ritual that she's been doing for a long time. Saying a prayer....
I wanted to say thank you to you and your family for serving our country. I'm a retired Navy brat myself and I know the sacrifices that an entire family makes when serving in the military. My dad was away from us for about four years when I was in middle school and starting high school - my poor mother! :) But I can say that when I look back on my childhood, I remember the things that we did, the places we visited and the time we spent together. And while I know that some of those things I remember happened when my dad was away, that's definitely not what runs through my mind when I reminisce. All I can remember is that I always felt that both of my parents were always there for me and loved me more than anything. And looking back I can appreciate how strong both of them were, and still are.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers to you all!
Hang in there! Time will pass quickly, just keep yourself and your LO occupied. Japan is a wonderful place and there will be so many new opportunities to explore. We have been here 3+ years and love it. The bazaars & shrine sales are awesome too, lol. You'll also have a wonderful sceneries to photograph. Sign up for Japanese language class too! Go Navy!
ReplyDeleteYour post broke my heart. My husband is gone from home for 12 weeks at a time and I have three young children ages 4 (a sweet girl), 2 (another baby girl) and 8 months (our precious baby boy). It is so hard for my husband to be gone all the time and miss out on the lives of his children. Many sweet, gentle hugs for your daughter and for you.
ReplyDeleteShan
Hey! Is he on the USS Essex? My husband leaves from Okinawa next week on the Essex. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteTears to my eyes, as I know EXACTLY what your going through right now. My husband is deployed right now and my boys are always asking if daddy can come home yet to help them. It's heartbreaking, yet it's something us military families must go through and appreciate each other all the more for it. <3 to you and yours from Okinawa :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours!!
ReplyDelete