An Upcoming Absence

Master is military and has to go away periodically for work. Sometimes it's not far away or for very long. Sometimes it's for a very long time and for an extended period of time. None of it is fun but it is something we can work through. Soon, he will be leaving for three months and he will be far enough away that he won't be able to come home on weekends like he did last summer.

While I can handle him going away, its always hard to deal with. It feels really strange going from only having input on the decision making process to being in complete control of the household. Its hard to go from seeing each other every night to not seeing or even really hearing from him for months at a time. And, of course, this is when everything waits to go wrong with houses, cars, kidlets and animals.

I have lived through extended training periods, tours overseas and other absences but it never gets easier. Each time there are differences in circumstances that make each experience unique. I am proud of the fact that I can handle Master being away but I will be glad when the day comes where he retires and we won't have to say goodbye for months at a time anymore.

Master and I were talking about the possibility of him going overseas on a tour which would mean he would be gone six months or more at a time. We have no idea what is going on but there are things happening all around the world that Canada is involved in so its likely that he will be sent away at some point. I just don't know how imminent it is or where he would be going. We talked about what would likely happen in the months leading up to him going.

Having been married to a combat arms soldier before, I have dealt with tours. My ex served in Bosnia, in Afghanistan and in Dubai. The basic mechanics don't change. There is a lack of communication (its hard to keep in touch when there is little to no telecommunications infrastructure present), time differences and an extended absence to deal with. There is also worry that things are happening that we don't know about back at home. I'm fortunate that Master isn't combat arms so it is more likely that he will be staying in camp and not going out where it is dangerous but there is always a risk of things happening.

It may seem strange to some that I'm willing to be married to another soldier knowing what its like. The thing is that THIS is what I am used to. I've never been with someone who had a normal 9-5 job. And to be honest, Master is so amazing and makes me so happy when he IS home that I am willing to wait for him to come home, no matter how long it takes.