His sacrifice

Eight more nights....

that's how many more nights I get to sleep next to my husband for the next year.

In one week he will be leaving for a year long remote assignment with the military.

We've known about it for a few months now, but the closer I get the more my awareness increases.

My awareness of him.

Over the last few days I have found myself lingering longer in his embrace, staring deeper into his eyes, and laughing easier at his not always funny jokes.  I've tried to capture every moment he plays with one of the children deeper into my memory.  I breathe him in with every chance I get.

It's only a year, one year.  We have been together 19 years....it's just one.

Yet it's one entire year...one entire year he has chosen to sacrifice....
                 to give up
        ....for us, his family,
              and for his country.

Sure it may sound cliche, but the magnitude and the depth of his sacrifice is real.  And I'm afraid we will take it for granted.

This weekend....I also don't want to forget the countless service men and women that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country....the sacrifice of their lives.

This Memorial day weekend in particular I cannot help but imagine the families that were counting down their days before having to say good-bye.  Like we are this week...fitting in last minute memories, packing, preparing.
Then when that final moment came, I imagine that they held on as tight as they could to that last embrace before letting them go.  They watched their loved ones walk away with hope for the joy of the return embrace....
                     yet eventually they were only left with empty arms and broken hearts.

We remember and we honor all of those brave men and women that gave their lives for us. We want to thank them for their sacrifice.
And we pray for their families.

 I am praying that we will continue to cherish each moment deeper, linger longer in every embrace, stare deeper into each others eyes, and laugh a little easier...
                                      
                                                        long after he returns home to us. 

We will not walk in fear, but with hope and joy, and a promise of God's faithful care.