The next frontier...

Gary left for Iraq on April 27, 2008, intended for a 406 day tour. It was an extremely sad day for us, one that we didn't look forward to and pretty much avoided until the final moments before departure. We've never done a deployment of this magnitude but I'm finding that it's almost easier than when Gary was on submarines. I have more reliable communication with him, which is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I absolutely love talking to him (and seeing him thanks to webcams and skype!) but other times I feel like instead of relying on myself and my own resources, I find myself unable to get into an independent groove. But it's definitely more comforting knowing that he is there when I need to talk or just hear his voice. We're almost through month #2, but although it feels like he's been gone forever, we still have forever and more left to go. The kids are doing pretty well; Olivia asks about Daddy everyday. We've told her that Daddy's at work and very far away -- I don't think she understands why Daddy hasn't come home from work yet. The duration of time is sometimes incomprehensible and overwhelming...even for me.