The Conversation Begins...

 The conversation begins with "little over a year from now, training and the long hours will begin."  The emotional roller coaster begins.  We prepare emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

The conversation begins with "few months from now I will be leaving and we need to sit down and update our wills." More preparing.

The conversation begins with "a few weeks from now...."

The conversation begins with "a few days from now I will be leaving and I need to get your honey-to-do list done."

The conversation begins with "I love you and will see you soon."

Preparing.

As you hold your son as he watches his daddy leave, you try to explain why this one time he cannot go with his hero.  You hold your two blessings close as you watch your third leave.

Preparing.

All you can do is pray.

You pray that God will wrap His arms around your precious blessing and bring him home safe.  You pray that your blessing that God has brought into your life, will be safe from illness, injury and death.  You pray God's protection upon him. 

You long to hear his voice, to feel his touch.  To say "I love you" just one more time. 

No matter how much we prepare, we will never be ready for this emotional roller coaster. 

But all you can do is pray.
 
You pray that God will give you the strength you need to make it through.  You pray that you can be a good mother, father, teacher, spiritual leader, and friend that your two blessings need.  You pray for your husband.

All you can do is pray for God's protection.  All you long for is your husband and the daddy of your children to arrive home.  Safe.