Goodbyes {Max leaves for training}
Monday, September 15, 2014
Saying goodbye definitely doesn't get any easier, especially as the kids get older. I remember when I said goodbye to Max, as he left for boot camp, over five years ago, and the tears that streamed down my face the entire car ride home. It felt so, so hard then. But now that we have kids, and they understand more what it means for Daddy to be gone for a time (or as much as their little toddler brains can comprehend!), and as we know the life events that Max will miss out on - the goodbyes are still hard, just in different ways.
Listening to Max talk to the kids before he left, and watching him say his goodbyes to them brought tears to my eyes. He told Ezra to take good care of mama, and the girls, and to be a good helper. He hugged and kissed Eliana, and said he'd see her soon. He squeezed Evie, the one he's been there through it all for, knowing she's never known anything but his being there most of the time. He touched my belly, both of us knowing it was the last time he'll see me pregnant, and that he won't be there for the birth of his fourth little one.
This military life isn't always easy, and saying goodbyes is just one more hard thing that comes along with it. I try my best to be thankful for the little things - that his training will be done in five or six months, that we'll get to talk on the phone and skype throughout his being away, that he is not deployed, that we are somewhere that we have lots of support, that he'll hopefully get a weekend to come meet the baby and also come back for Christmas. But it's still hard thinking about the things he'll miss - the birth of our 4th baby, birthdays and holidays, kids growing and changing.
Goodbyes can be rough - especially for this hormonal, pregnant mama. But I know what lies ahead, on the other side of this goodbye - the sweet reunion with my husband/our Daddy. And until then, I do my best to remember that this all serves a purpose, that God is my strength, and that there are plenty of little things we have to be thankful for.
7 comments
:( I hope this time goes by fast and with the least amount of toddler meltdowns as possible. That last picture is soo sweet.
ReplyDeleteGoodbyes are the worst, I hope the time flies by!
ReplyDeleteThank God for our military families. Lord knows I couldn't do it. Your strength, faith and commitment are commendable!
ReplyDeleteSuch sweet pictures! I will be praying the times passes quickly and that God gives you strength and sweet blessings along the way.
ReplyDeleteI loooove the photos!! And I agree, it's so hard with kids to say goodbye. Penny understands when Daddy's gone now :(
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes, Kaylee. You are strong, and such an incredible wife and mama. I will be praying for you guys.. for you as you deal with all of these changes with your husband across the country and especially as you have your baby without him present, for your kids as they get used to daddy being away, and for your hubby as he has to miss out on so much, while having to be focused on his training. Keep remembering that God is your strength and comfort and He will carry you through. Lots of love! <3
ReplyDeletePraying for you often. Kids make things totally different with military life, don't they? But I've always found that while some days can be really hard to be a 'single mama' for a while, they are also what helped me get through the long days and keep me happy. Hope this time flies for you.
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