Sad Farewells...

No....I'm not leaving BP.net.

....but other than saying that....it's hard to know where to begin. :(

As most of you know, my hubby is an officer in the Air Force. And some of you know he is supposed to deploy this fall/winter for a six month stint in Afghanistan. We knew we only had until the end of this month to be together...but at least we knew. There were a few weeks left...still time to get stuff done...still time to be together. Time for my birthday and our 17th wedding anniversary, which both happen later this month.

But the bureaucratic machine that is the military decided Dean has "more important" things to be doing, and they called him out early...with less than 36 hours notice. Yesterday was pretty much spent in tears for me, when I got the news...and the evening taken up with huge bags of military gear being sorted and packed for a trip that will now be seven months instead of six.

Early this morning, before the sun was even up...we were all kissing him goodbye. We'll see him again sometime in mid-April of '08.

I love this man more than words can say; the respect I have for him knows no bounds. And I'm SO proud of him it feels like my heart will burst sometimes. I know the Lord has His reasons and purpose for all of this. I trust Him in that, and I trust Him to take care of us and keep us strong while Dean is away. But oh, sweet Lord....I was not ready for this, yet. :rainon:

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Petra wearing his flak-jacket and helmet. This vest alone weighs about 30-40 pounds! :O
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...Petra-flak.jpg

Dean and the kids yesterday evening...
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x.../Dean-kids.jpg

And because it's SO impossible to catch a real smile from Dean when he is posing for pics...here's a few from our Labor Day weekend up in Dallas with his family. The room was full of cousins, aunts, uncles, Grandma and Grandpa...all of us having a huge battle with soft-sided blocks and balls.

Here's Dean hording ammo....
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x.../Dean-ammo.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...007/Dean-2.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...007/Dean-1.jpg

I love his smile and his laugh.....

I'm sorry Judy. I can't even fathom how hard that must be for you. My wife and I talked about me signing up, because of how much it would help us financially (pay, housing, paying for college) but in the end although she decided that It had to be my decision, with my first child about to be born, and everything else that's going on, I just couldn't bring myself to leave. I respect your husband so much for what he's doing and I'm sure god will take care of him and your family.

Your family will be in our thoughts.

Oh, Judy...I'm so sorry :( It can't be easy having to go through regularly-scheduled deployments, never mind deployments that happen on a moment's notice. :hug: Just want you to know that I'll be thinking about you and your family--it's a lovely family, too.

JLC,

Thank you so very much for sharing your husband with US. He and all the other troops who defend what is right are making the real sacrifice. I hope and pray that his guardian angel will always be there hovering to protect. May the days between now and April fly by quickly without any harmful events. And may God be with your family as he is with Dean now.

Jude, you and I have talked privately but I'm going to remind you publically that you have my phone number and you better not think you're ever a "bother" to phone hon, day or night. Mike and I send our love to you, Dean and the kids. Our deepest respect to the service Dean performs for this country and the strength you will show in keeping his children and yourself strong and ready for the happy day he comes back home to your arms.

You pick up that phone anytime okay. Biggest hugs dear friend, I know this is terribly hard for you.

Judy;

Thank you and your family so much for your sacrifice!

Your tears mean our freedom.

Your husband and your family will be in my prayers!

I would like to say thank you, Dean, for your service to our country, and thank you Judy and kids for sharing him with us. I will be keeping your family in my prayers.

Steve

J.R. ....Thank you!

Kim...you're so sweet! Thanks!

Akiva...your prayers and blessings mean the world!

Jo...I promise I won't forget! :hug:

Ed...thank you so much for your words and prayers!

Steve....thanks, hon!!

It really is very comforting to know that other people understand and will be watching out for us in their thoughts and prayers.

:grouphug:

(edit; Had to add Steve, who typed too fast the first time. ;) )

JLC

So sorry to hear your hubby has to leave early!:(

Looks like you have a very nice family there.;)

Judy and Dean,
Thank you both so much for your sacrifices to serve and protect our country. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family and Dean until he comes home. *hugs*

I think its safe to say that the whole forum will be behind you with this one...

Being with someone in the military is never easy on your relationship, and that says a lot about the type of person you are: a strong one.

The best of luck to your family and your husband's safe return.

Judy,

I am so sorry that he got called out early. Growing up with my Dad in the Navy, I understand how hard it can be when someone has to leave. I was there for my Mom especially when she would have her down days while my Dad was gone. I respect all that any branch of the military does for all of us and I will keep you, your husband, and the rest of your family in my thoughts and prayers. Let your husband know that my family thanks him for his service and that we all really appreciate what they do for us!!

Scooby...thanks! I think they're pretty terrific! :)

Kasi...thank you!

Adri...I don't feel very strong right now, but we'll do what we gotta do. Thank you.

Pamela...I can't even imagine being married to a Navy man. Even during peace time, they're gone so much. Much respect to you and your family as well! Thank you for your kind words!

:salute: Godspeed :salute:

Judy,
I am sorry. I have familty members in the military and retired military. I know how it works. Its hard and its frustrating.

Stay strong and think positive. You have a lot of support here.

Best wishes to him and I hope he comes home safe to you.

A BIG Thank You to him for serving our Country.

Kristy

Wow im sorry. My cousin has been on 2 tours in Iraq and its hard every time he has had to leave. You just gotta stay positive and keep your head up. He will be back with you in no time!

I tip my hat to him, for serving this great country and fighting for us!

Judy,

I know you are so grateful that you had the notice you did have, instead of this deployment being completely out of the blue but those dates are important and I'm so sad he won't be home for them. :( We've spoken privately and you know I'm here for you... anytime. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...ss/thheart.gif

I love ya girl. :hug:
Aleesha

I have a tremendous respect for your husband and your family, your sacrifice is allowing the rest of us to be safe, and for that I have to say thank you!

Be strong and know you have the BP.net family behind you for support if you ever need it :grouphug:
Your family will be in my thoughts :hug:

i'm so sorry dean has been called suddenly and unexpectedly. my dad is a forester and when i was growing up he would get calls with 24 hours notice to pack his stuff and head out for 4-6 weeks stints on forest fires that were burning out of control around the country. it was always so stressful and upsetting when those calls came in, i can't even imagine how it would be if that call was to go to another country for months at a time during a time of unrest.

that's the only way i can really try to relate to what you must be going through, but it is so insignificant in comparison. i'm here for you judy, if you need an ear or a shoulder. i pray that god will keep dean safe and you and your family strong until he returns. :hug:

Judy, there really isn't much I can say, that hasn't been said before in this thread. From the times you have chatted with me, I can imagine you're incredibly proud of Dean and what he is doing for this country. Sadly that doesn't take much of the edge off of missing him. Not only will y'all be in each others thoughts and prayers, but here as well. I hope the next seven months go as smooth as possible, and although the months may seem to pass at a mere crawl, just remember that as those dates on the calender pass y'all are that much closer to each other again. You and Dean are most definitely in my thoughts and prayers! :salute:

You will both be in my thoughts. It is rough to be apart, but hopefully that time will pass soon. Thanks for sharing your family with us . Be proud of him, it sounds like you have a wonderful husband. You both will have so much to share and celebrate on his return!:hug:

Im truly sorry to hear about all this. I will definatly have you and Dean in my prayers. Time will fly by quicker than you know it, but you have to be strong for yourself and the kids. Im sure he is proud of you aswell as you are proud of him.

We're here for you Judy. So if you ever need anything, dont hesitate to let us know. Good Luck and God bless.

Judy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong and keep the faith. I know it's hard, but Dean will be home safely before you know it.
I'm getting ready to see my son off for his second tour in October and I didn't think that I would make it through his first deployment....But I did, and so shall you.
A huge thanks to Dean for serving our country!

I've been thinking about you all day Judy, and right now tears are just running down my face. I can't even imagine the fear and sadness that must be overwhelming you. I wish there was something I could do to ease your burden even the slightest bit. Bless your husband as he is away from your family, and keep him safe so that he can return to you healthy and whole. Bless your family too, and help them stay strong.

I'm here if you need ANYTHING! :hug:

Judy , lass I take my hat off to you guys.It is never easy on family.Dean is a credit to you , his family and his country.Old fashioned values, you cannot buy that at a store. Its in the heart . You guys have real big hearts.

I wish you all that you wish yourself.

JLC please give my best to your husband! :salute:

Wow, I give you and Dean and your family a huge ton of respect. I don't know what else to say that hasn't been said already.. but here's to hoping that the time he is gone goes by fast and he is back in your arms soon.

what a handsome devil!


So sorry Judy....I can't even imagine what it's like to be in your shoes.

Make sure you tell him we are all so very proud of him and his brothers in arms.

Awww Jude :hug:, you've been in my thoughts all day and I, like Christie, have tears streaming down my face. I'm sorry I couldn't be on sooner than now, and wasn't available for phone calls today.


Dean and your family have my greatest respect and admiration for the sacrifices that you all are going through for our country.

Petra looks so much like her father!

so sorry judy! i have no idea how you must feel but i can about imagine my own reaction to that news! hopefully, the 6 months will go by faster than expected and bring him home safe and sound!

Judy, I am not really the religious type, but you and your husband and your family will be in my thoughts. I guess it is these times when we find out who our friends really are and who we can count on.

It is also a time to find out that you are a stronger person than you ever thought you were. It will not be easy, but I trust you have all the strength you will need inside of you.
Hugs!!!

From a former Marine to you,your Husband and children,
THANK YOU :bow:
http://www.idsardar.bizland.com/imag...es/20141AF.gif

Wow! SO MANY wonderful people and kind words that do more than you know. I'm in tears again! I know it may not seem like much at the time, but your words DO make a difference and are a soothing balm to the hurts of the day. Thank you all so very, very deeply!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by steelrain

http://www.idsardar.bizland.com/imag...es/20141AF.gif

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This is beautiful!! THANK YOU!!!

Awwww Judy, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine having to watch as your "other half" walks away to be gone for several months. I wish for you:

Comfort on difficult days,

Smiles when sadness intrudes,

Rainbows to follow the clouds,

Laughter to kiss your lips,

Sunsets to warm your heart,

Gentle hugs when spirits sag,

Friendships to brighten your being,

Beauty for your eyes to see,

Confidence for when you doubt,

Faith so that you can believe,

Courage to know yourself,

Patience to accept the truth,

And love to complete your life. - Anonymous

Oh Judy, I'm so sorry for the premature departure.... I can only imagine how hard this must be. Keep your chin up, it will be next April before you know it, and we're all here to keep you "company"... :oops:


Big fat huggins to you! L

I'm so sorry to hear this, Judy.. *hugs* You have a lovely family. :)

May God bless you and your family!!!
Mike.

Send my best wishes with him. My son was in Iraq twice, and is being sent to Korea soon. A dear friend was in Afganistan for a extended tour.
Stay strong! Military spouses have it the roughest of all folks I think.

Guys this was two years ago...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BPMIKE

May God bless you and your family!!!
Mike.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Send my best wishes with him. My son was in Iraq twice, and is being sent to Korea soon. A dear friend was in Afganistan for a extended tour.
Stay strong! Military spouses have it the roughest of all folks I think.

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Folks this is an old post September 07, Judy's husband has been back since than ;)