Halfway point between a long deployment is bitter sweet.  It is ohh so sweet crossing the halfway point and being able to see the other side of the deployment.  And bitter for all the same.  Now you can see the other side and time seems to standstill during the last few months. 

But alas.. almost over.

Last deployment I was so busy trying to adjust my work schedule and MD's schedule that the first few months flew right by without 'taking time out' to miss my husband.  The halfway point; however, brought many tears from frustration, exhaustion, adjusting and oddly enough joy.  Joy in knowing exactly how much I missed my husband and how much I loved him and appreciated our partnership.  Truly understanding how much we support each other in our respective careers and with parental responsibility.   Tears flowed freely.  Halfway this time has been no different.  I seem to stop more often to think about my husband and all the reasons why I love him and am so proud of him.  Tears flow more freely now that halfway point has arrived.  I have once again become extremely sentimental and all the mushy gushy makes me cry.  Ohhhh come on people, it is healthy. 

Today's tears were conjured up by a simple little country song by Lonestar.  Even if you are not a country music fan, you might be familiar with the song, "Already There".  As I was putting MD down for a nap we discussed how Typhoons were affecting Daddy's ship's route and what typhoons were.  He concluded that he did not like storms and tried to understand why I sometimes like storms.  While he pondered the possibility of beauty in storms, I heard the lyrics that made me sniffle (a lot):          




He called her on the road

From a lonely cold hotel room

Just to hear her say I love you one more time

And when he heard the sound 

Of the kids laughing in the background

He had to wipe away a tear from his eye

A little voice came on the phone

And said "Daddy when you coming home"

He said the first thing that came to his mind

I'm already there

Take a look around

I'm the sunshine in your hair

I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind

I'm your imaginary friend

And I know I'm in your prayers

Oh I'm already there

I will say it once and I will say it again, it is the children that break my heart.  The children that don't understand why their mom or dad is gone for so long. They feel the void in huge ways no matter how much we attempt to distract them by over scheduling while their loved one is away..

I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for all those guys that step in fill the adult male role that my son craves.  Thank you Jimmy G., Matt M., Guy H., Rob H., Charlie K., Dave H., Don W., Jon M., Brian G., and anyone I might have missed that tackle, tickle, dig, throw ball, high five, talk with, guide, show patience, teach and nurture while my Brian is away.  

Images to follow.  Needed the thoughts to flow first.. 

A couple images from the USS Crommelin.  They have had some rough seas of late.

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