Single parenthood, again

[kalimyre]

So I just dropped my husband off at his unit this morning; they fly for Korea today. He'll be gone for a year. It's always a little surreal doing this. He's been deployed before, he already spent a year in Afghanistan and I dropped him off for that one, too. I remember our older daughter was three then, and the baby was only two months old.

Comments

[indybaggins]

*big hug*

[kalimyre]

Thank you! ^_^

[roga]

Wow. I keep forgetting that the US military has stationing overseas, and separated families, and I'm amazed all over again each time I'm reminded. I admire your strength - both of you - and wish you all the best. A year really does fly by, eventually.

[kalimyre]

You know, out of curiosity, how do other countries do it? No overseas deployments? I suppose it's different when the conflict is actually happening in the same country where the military is based.

Also, thank you for the good wishes, much appreciated. ^_^

[roga]

Well, I can't speak for any other countries, but Israel doesn't even have any bases outside the country. If we did, it would definitely be safe enough and acceptable to bring the family along (like diplomats do). Remember that yeah, the conflicts are here, and most of the military is aged 18-22 anyway, so they hardly have families to be separated from. The fighters come home to mom every few weekends; the rest, either every day or every weekend.

[kalimyre]

That reminds me of my friend from the Czech Republic, who was required to do at least 2 years of military service when he turned 18. And apparently it was much harder than the US military. He had joined the US Army at the age of 35, which is the maximum age for initial entry, and he still breezed through it ahead of all the young kids.

On the one hand, it would be nice for my husband to not have to travel, but there's the trade-off of not having the conflict in my backyard, as it were. I guess we just have to accept the price for that.

[ennui_blue_lite]

It takes a very strong person to be married to someone in the military. It may not be much comfort, but know that some of us are very appriciative of both people like your husband, who are protecting us, and people like you, who are sacrificing them for a year so they can protect us.

[kalimyre]

Thank you! And in a way, I think this is good for both of us. Makes us appreciate what we have.

[tijmetje]

*hugs*

[kalimyre]

Thank you! *g* We're doing good so far.