Valentine's Day

Maybe it's a subconscious thing.  Maybe it's a "I'm-too-busy-to-think-about-anything-but-the-kids" thing.  Whatever it is, I wasn't quite ready to acknowledge that Valentine's Day was coming 'round the bend.  So when a box of fresh flowers showed up on the doorstep on Friday afternoon, it set my mind in a time zone of its own for a few moments.  I appreciate the simple beauty of flowers anywhere on any day, but the ones in this box were a touching and tangible reminder that even though the other half of my heart is on the other side of the globe, my Michael is closer to me than any other person in the world.  And with a man like this, I've found that the real reason this little holiday caught me by surprise is that every day with Michael is a Valentine's Day renewed.  I LOVE YOU, Michael!

So close and yet so far away!

Through The Sand

Yesterday, Mike left for his deployment. I had to part ways with my best friend and confidant to let him fulfill a duty that I have yet to fully comprehend. The proverbial "fork in the road," however, doesn't seem to fit this situation. Because, although we have to be separated physically, we are still undergoing this trial together... as the one that man and woman become when we commit to the sacred union of marriage. And that in itself helps to lift the cloud of alone-ness.

To stay true to the unique experiences that he will be undergoing apart from me and Max, though, Mike will be sharing his side of deployment life at his own blog: Through the Sand. I know I'll be following his every post!



I also praise God for the family whose presence I was immersed in during Mike's departure and throughout that day. The joy of seeing loved ones whom I have been separated from during our year in Guam was a timely blessing that effectively dissipated any feelings of loneliness.