Anyone that reads something I write will notice I include my family often. My family is my heart.
My oldest nephew was deployed to Irag. He isn't just a nephew to me, he's one of my best friend's, someone I'd always been able to share anything/everything with. Basiclly, a part of me left with him but I couldn't let him know that. I had to be strong for him. The day he left he called me, as I hung the phone up I felt as if I took the deepest breath possible and couldn't let it out. We kept in touch daily threw emails and an occasional phone call. He confided in me things he couldn't tell other people because he knew they would worry, he thought I was stronger. In a way I was but it hurt just as much to not cry and let him know how worried I was, how much he meant every second we talked or in every email. I couldn't do that becuase he needed someone strong that he knew would listen, that was me. How untrue it really was, but I never let him know. I listened, I kept every secret I was asked to keep , I kept the burden of being the strong one to myself. Please don't get me wrong, being there for him was not the burden, being the strong one in his life was. So many times I just wanted to cry on the phone talking to him so far away, I couldn't. He needed me to be the strong person in his life, so I was. He already had a wife and a mother that cried everytime they talked to him, how much I wanted to do the same................
As the year went on orders to come home came and went and with each order that was changed a part of me felt like it died. Was he ever coming home? Were we being punished because he did his job well? No, he was keeping us safe and doing his duty and he was honored to be there for his country and family. I am so proud of him, I'm proud of every person that has defended this country. I pray for every soldier, home or away.
One morning very early he called me and told me to check my email, he didn't have time to talk. So, of course I did and to my surprise he was packing, he was leaving, he was coming home!!!!!!!!!!!! He would be flying high in the sky by the time I finished reading that email. He had accepted his medals and certificates and on his way home. I still couldn't breath. I had to know he was on US soil before that would happen.
The next day his wife called me on her way to the airport and we talked until she saw him walking off the plane.......... Now I could breath, now I could cry................
Every emotion I felt while he was there came to the surface and I could finally breath again, I finally let that breath out.................
He's home now and I thank God!
I know how it feels to have someone that is so very precious away, in harms way. If I can help anyone at all, please let me know.
No thank you's needed.
