goodbyes are sad

in ,

goodbyes are sad yet they should also be cherished because it is this word that causes all the memories to come flooding back as if they had happened yesterday. - author unknown

it's yesterday, 8 PM. skyler is in bed and i'm trying to get ryder in bed and getting ready to help kiele with her homework. Â

<RING. RING.>

it's not your typical ring...of the phone.  i run to the computer.  it's steve.  i holler for the kids. they come running and stand by my side, as we talk to steve.

hi daddy. Â we miss you. Â when are you coming home.

we see him. Â we hear him. Â he sees and hears us. Â my heat aches, yet it's absolutely amazing that this technology exists and we can do this. Â i am beyond grateful for this connection that we can maintain, while he is so far away.

actually, i am grateful for so much. truly. Â i'm sad that steve is gone, but i don't dwell in the sadness of him being gone; that would do me no good. i am strong while he is gone and thankful. thankful that it's only seven months (and not 15-18 months, like the army guys that steve's unit is replacing). Â i'm thankful that we're all healthy. Â and safe. Â things could be so much worse and i'm thankful for each and every blessing in my life.

so, here is a screen capture, from us saying hi to steve. Â us in california. Â him in iraq.Â

198 days to go.