August 28, 2004

This wonderfully happy occasion has now become blended with fear, dread, and sadness.

Josh is going to be here tonight. Joyous expectation has filled the house as we await the number one son to make his appearance. Plans have been made… the recipe book examined for something new to try. The only part putting a damper on our happiness was the fact that Leah was staying behind this time.

Then two days ago, we got news. News that wasn’t good. Leah is being sent to Iraq for four months! And she is leaving next week while Josh is here. Josh’s tickets had already been purchased, his time off work already scheduled. They made the decision for him to go ahead with the trip. BUT.

As if it’s not horrible enough to be sent to Iraq…

As if it’s not horrible enough to be separated from your spouse for four long months…

Now the last week they would have had together will be spent apart as well.

I am very worried about my beautiful daughter-in-law even stepping foot in Iraq. I am so afraid that she might be harmed or even worse. I thought somehow my family would escape having to face Iraq.

Josh explained to me that the reason he and Leah didn’t go before was because they were on a training base. Other than that, “Everyone has to go, Mom.” he told me. So now Josh is no longer in the USAF, but his sweet wife who reenlisted will go do her duty in the Middle East. May God protect her and draw both Josh and her closer to Himself during this time.

Josh has tried to reassure me that she will be safe. He says they are much more upset over the prospect of being apart. I just know there have been many others who went there and did not expect to be doing anything that would get them hurt. Things don’t always turn out the way we expect.

I’m a mother. It’s my job to worry.

I also remember being young and my (former) husband was in the USAF. Sometimes we would be apart and it was always terrible. I think the longest we were ever apart was three weeks! Poor Josh and Leah. At least with the advanced technology of the day they should be able to talk on the phone pretty often.

I guess four months isn’t as bad as what many go through. I remember when we lived in Germany, there were guys there who had signed up for two years instead of three. If you didn’t bring your family, you only had to stay for two years. The unaccompanied tour.

I remember thinking back then, “Two years without my husband?? I don’t think so!!!”

I guess the women married to the career guys were thinking, “Uproot my kids from their school AGAIN and drag the family to yet ANOTHER location? I don’t think so!”

So maybe four months won’t be too awful.

I wish the timing had at least been different. How heart wrenchingly sad will it be for Josh and Leah to say goodbye via telephone before she leaves. Josh will go home to the cat, who suspects him of being a dog lover.

Alas, they have already said their goodbyes. Josh is flying in the friendly (I hope) skies on his way here as I write. I better get to the cleaning and cooking I have planned.

I hope this all turns out okay. We’ll see, won’t we?

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.