When in the Military ...

Sometimes your BEST FRIEND is technology!!

Its hard to be away from your kids no matter what, but when you are in the military you are not gone simply days, but weeks and months on end.  When you have a child that is older and non-verbal, the challenge to stay close, to stay in the picture and interact with one another becomes even more difficult.

How hard is it as a parent to not be able to hear your baby's voice? Just imagine, if you never heard your daughter or son talk to you, how would that affect you? It would be devastating. Some might not think that is the case for us because Jocie so far, has not been able to talk, but instead, you mourn and yearn for that even more.

When you're a baby, no one expects for them to talk to you, but they still enjoy the sounds of their parent's voices and faces. Once a child becomes Jocelyn's age, 3 years-old, they begin to expect you to be in their lives, miss you and NEED you physically present in more ways than one. In Jocelyn's case, this may be even more so. Kids need and want to played with, to be touch, to be tickled and loved on, have stories read to them, snuggle ... their needs are endless because well, they are children and children are needy little boogers! :)

Unfortunately, with the military life, the solider -- OUR solider -- is gone a lot and doesn't get to spend those intentional moments together.

Justin's gone so often, that it is easy for me to think that "he's fine with being gone," "that he doesn't worry about us because I have it under control," "that he just doesn't need to be with Boogie the way that I as her mother does."

Absolutely Wrong!

In fact, I think Justin misses us terribly, tries his best not to worry about things he has no control over, cringes when Boogie is not well because daddy can't be there to try and make it better, wishes for kisses and hugs from his "little stinky," having his family near him, sharing all the small things that go on -- just simply being together. Men are "doers" ... "fixers" ... and need that contact. I'm not saying women aren't, but we are typically the stronger communicator, etc. For Justin, I think its incredibly hard to talk into a phone to Jocelyn without ever getting a response. Does she enjoy his voice? Yes, but on his end, I know he yearns for more.

But like I said, luckily there is technology -- although not always dependable, reliable or available technology -- nevertheless, sometimes when the moons align juuuuust right, we are able Skype with one another.

 

 

For now, this is simply how Jocie and her daddy have to interact and love on one another.

 

Here's a picture of Jocelyn looking, watching and listening to her daddy. I can see the love on her face that she has for him.

 

Steals my heart every time I watch them together.

When I see the two of them interact, when I see the joy on BOTH of their faces, when I can HEAR in Justin's voice how much he misses Jocelyn ... its like a constant reminder that being in the military is not for the weak, the weary, its not easy, its something that is valued but comes with a huge price ...

 

Justin, like all soldiers, sacrifice so much more than their time, energy and talents. Its just too easy to forget all the important things -- the people -- that they have to sacrifice being around in order to do their job for all of us.

 

You might not be here physically Big Daddy, but you ALWAYS have your girls' heart next to yours!