(More Than) Happy Veteran's Day

When I think of the word "veteran," I think of somebody my dad's age or older. But, as the radio station here in our military town reminded me multiple times today, many of today's "veterans" are between the ages of 18-25. That's a sobering thought.

And yet, I'm not feeling quiet or somber. My veteran and hundreds of his comrades sit less than a 1000 miles off the coast (the east coast of the United States) and are steaming quickly homeward.

I can't sit still. I haven't been able to for the last week or so. I can't focus on anything for more than 30 seconds at a time. I can't sleep at night. I can't blog. I am ridiculously, restlessly, impatiently ecstatic. Oh, and I've only had to do this for 2 months. The other wives, husbands, children, and family who are awaiting the same day and time I am have been waiting for 6 months. God bless them and their dedication. I admire them.

Just a few more days of this madness. Then, reunion. My sailor has duty on the day they pull in, so I'll go out the ship and spend several hours there. I'll have to leave him again that night, but this time knowing that when I return early the next morning to pick him up, I can take him home. And the best part about that is that we can shed our jobs and just be us. The man I married is wonderful at what he does and dedicated to his job. But I loved the boy almost 4 years before he became the officer. And that's the person I can't wait to see.