The day we knew would come

Mark leaves...tomorrow.  I'm a huge mix of emotions.  I've done well today, though the tears have fallen a time or two (or maybe even three).  He's not going to Iraq.  He's not going to Alaska.  Still, 9 hours is far enough.  Today, in the car, Cassie gave him the best gift she could.  She said, "Mommy, we're sure gonna miss Daddy, huh?"  It let him know that she was thinking of him and was going to miss him when he sometimes wonders if they'll even notice he's gone.  He's getting phone call after phone call of well-wishers and I'm doing my best to not be irritated.  He has 9-10 hours of uninterrupted (except for that darn driving) time tomorrow when he could talk to these people, but they're taking up our time.  Kel--this is in no way directed at you and B...he was quite ecstatic.  :)  I appreciate people thinking of him, but I'm wishing that they would call tomorrow.  I obviously don't want to ruin our last night together, so I'm just biting my tongue, taking a deep breath, and counting to 10 again and again.  He was on the phone throughout half of our dinner together as a family.  Counting.....

Half of my life is loaded up in a truck ready to leave tomorrow morning.  I'm not talking about the "stuff."  I'm talking about the fact that it will be carrying half of myself far away.

We'll wake up tomorrow.  I'll kiss him good-bye.  He'll be gone.  I will see him in 2 or 3 months.

Lord, make it go quickly.......