{Did You Say Deployment Pro?}

I was at the commissary a couple of weeks ago picking up some things. I haven’t done a “real” shopping for groceries trip in the past 6 months. I’ve been pretty bad actually and summer vacation only made it that much worse. I buy what we need when we need it. Not the smartest move but, it seemed to have worked out okay for the 4 of us. Anyhow when we got home the kids and I were putting things away and I happen to notice something rather important. I am a stickler for dates...especially when it comes to dairy products. I didn’t notice it while in the commissary (probably because I was trying to keep 3 children entertained while finding exactly what I needed) but as I put away the yogurt and the milk, I had to smile really BIG. Why? Simply because for the first time since December, deployment was going to be over before my food expired!!! The date that was stamped on my yogurt and on my gallon of milk was after Jason’s arrival date!!! That was a pretty big slap that happy grin on your face moment for me!! It’s the simple things in life...right?!?! =)

That moment actually got me thinking. I have a list full of reasons as to why I loathe that bad "D" word. However, since we are literally in the final stages of defeating this deployment, I wanted to see if I could flip the coin and come up with a few pros. Had you asked me 6 months ago to name just one pro, I would have laughed in your face. Ok probably not, but I know that I wouldn’t have been able to give even a smidgen of something positive.

My goal was 5.

So here it goes:

{1}

Pro: The television became female domain. I got to watch just about every movie on my Netflix list without having to worry about chasing the hubby out of the room.

[LMN...Hallmark Channel...Most importantly, I got to watch shows like Grays Anatomy, Private Practice, & Army Wives without the hubby’s sly remarks in the background] =)

Con: I missed cuddling on the couch watching movies with the hubby on Friday and Saturday nights and we missed out on some pretty great baseball nights too :( 

{2}

Pro: I got the entire bed to myself.

[Ok not really because I happen to have 3 children who like to sneak under the covers in the middle of the night and a 4 legged dog who thinks she is actually human and also thinks the bed belongs to her]

 

Con: I still had to crawl into bed alone, every single night and face it, it’s a pretty big bed when the hubby is gone.

{3}

Pro: I didn’t have to worry about playing the “what’s for dinner” game.

[Fast lesson learned...Children love eating cereal, pancakes, and that ever so famous “I’ve got the blues” cheesiest Mac and Cheese for dinner]

Con: Instead of fancy family dinners, I ended up eating A LOT of Cereal and Soup

{4}

Con: Murphy’s Law of Deployment truly sets into motion. If it can go wrong, IT WILL!! Car troubles, house disasters, kid quarrels, family matters; you name it, it can and will happen.

[There were many things (little and BIG) were I could have used not only my hubby but also my best friend. Somehow I learned that although it was tough, there wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. Knowing he was always there no matter the miles was the one thing that REALLY helped me. Staying strong for him helped me to be strong when I needed it the most]

Pro: I learned to rise above so much and to conquer the challenges. As it winds down to the final hours, I can honestly say that I have become a stronger, more independent person.

{5}

Con: Each day crawls by. Most days feel as if that projected arrival date will never ever arrive.

Of course, there was always the worry and the loneliness. That feeling like I suddenly after 12 years of marriage converted into a nun and I can’t forget about wanting to scream every time I saw all of the happy couples that walked past me holding hands and looking ever so deeply in love.

Pro: But then, [god-willing] he sends you his travel itinerary and then...he comes home!