WITH LOVE.......FROM HOME XXOO
I am having a really hard time shutting my brain off at night. I fight the exhaustion in fear that lying awake will make it impossible to avoid the bad thoughts....sad thoughts.....the crying. Deployment has always brought out the "ugly cry". Nobody looks good with the Ugly Cry! So far I have not come face to face with that evil.
A panic came across deployment wives today......we were given 24 hours to collect items, package and seal if we would like it to reach the ship in Port for distribution to our Sailors. Usually a list of mail dates are given well in advance from the Military Family Resource Centre. This time with the operational requirements, a last-minute mail date was posted for TOMORROW! I must admit....for me this is not panic time but excitement. I absolutely love putting togther a package of favourites to send Brian's way. Maybe not as much as he loves to receive it but I do really like collecting things to go. What woman doesn't like to shop afterall?
In 2008, Brian was sent to the GULF and care packages served a great purpose during those long 6.5 months apart. I started out by sending a letter, pictures, chocolate and candy. As time went on, they became more extensive you might say.....I made him "cake in a jar" to arrive near our anniversary. It literally is just that. The sealed jar allows for long travel and the ability to stay fresh throughout the heat, cold etc. It was the best thing hubby says. I can imagine after months on board a ship, eating recycled meals day after day, cake was a treat to the taste buds he won't easily forget. Other items I send along are gum, juice crystals ( to break up the constant taste of plain water), gym shorts, socks to replace the holy ones, letters and pictures. Near the end of the deployment last time, I managed to send enough love letters and cards so that he had one a week until Homecoming. I think secretly, he couldn't wait long enough and I have no doubt those cards never made it anywhere near home! LOL The purpose behind "gifts from home" are to boost morale, send love, and provide comforts that are missed a great deal when they are taken away for months on end. Thanks to our MFRC, care packages are sent for free! There is no limit as to how many you send which is another bonus. Brian describes them as "Christmas in Foreign Port". I can imagine that being true. Often times, I will send along an extra package of basics.....socks, candy and gum....even a card saying "thank you for your service". There is nothing worse I can imagine, than seeing everyone around you getting care packages except you. Single members are usually in this situation so I feel it very important to take a minute to show them people are thinking about them. Even though we may be strangers, we are sharing a common bond.
In my opinion, there is nothing greater than sending your love whenever you can. Showing my Sailor I am thinking of him from afar, and having something to actually touch, open, see and smell that he knows was at his HOME at one point, has got to do so much for his spirit. I couldn't imagine being away from home so long that you feel like a guest when you come back. Sending these boxes of love is my best attempt in keeping my Sailor connected and grounded. Even if he is far from dry land.
~M
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