Deploying is a part of being in the military. The question isn't if you will deploy it is when will you deploy. Some people want to be deployed while others dread and avoid it. I will give you one guess as to which category Meric is in. Meric has always wanted to be in the military and deploying is part of the experience he wants to have.
About a month ago Meric got an email that was sent out to all of the occupational therapists in the Army. It was regarding the up coming deployment slots and asking for volunteers. Meric and I agreed he should volunteer. He has gotten emails like this before and has volunteered then too. This time he was chosen to go. (if he hadn't volunteered he would have been sent next year anyway)
Meric will be deployed for nine months starting in February.
I was totally on board with him volunteering but when he told me he got it I started having second thoughts. I thought that deployment would be one of those things that never happened to us. It hit me all of a sudden "I am going to have to be without my husband for nine months." The first few days I could not talk about it without crying. It is going to be a hard nine months but I know that we will be okay. Like the times he volunteered before, I prayed that Heavenly Father would only send him if it was the right thing for us. I know that even thought it will be difficult it is an experience we both need to have.
One of the reasons we moved into a trailer is so that when Meric got deployed I could easily move back home to Washington. The first few days that is what I was planning to do but then I started to really think about it. First of all hauling a trailer up to WA in February means snow, slick roads and possibly closed passes. Living in a trailer in WA in February means really cold! Meric and I plan to someday live in the pacific northwest in a trailer in the winter, but I didn't want to have my first time be without him. Then I thought maybe I could move in with my family but then I really started to think about that. Living with my family would be fun (and I fully intend to make a long visit) but I am use to being on my own in my own house and it is hard to share. It also would have meant 6 rambunctious dogs in one house for nine months. Then I thought about just staying in Kentucky. That would mean being alone... or does it. As soon as I started thinking about staying here I was made very aware of how many people I have here for support. We haven't lived in Kentucky very long but it feels like home. Everyone at the campground has offered their help if ever we needed it. We have a wonderful ward with great home and visiting teachers. I have family and friends who are excited to come visit and spend time with me. As I thought of staying in Kentucky I was bombarded with people who cared about me and said they would help me not feel so alone. I am staying in Kentucky.
As much as I don't want to go without Meric for nine months (or any amount of time for that matter) I know that it is what needs to happen now for whatever reason. I know that it will be hard and that I will cry a lot but I also know that it will be okay.
Please keep Meric in your prayers!
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