OK been away from home for 18 days

It seems like it has been 18 months. Our days are filled with "Army Training". We do have some free time but since we are over a thousand miles from home, over 50 miles from civilization in the Texas/New Mexico desert we can't go any where. Even though AAFES is supposed to be here to support the troops the small shopette we have charges $11.50 for a case of water and 2.00 for a small bottle of Gatorade, just a few examples of gouging there. the nights we do have down time. Honestly that is the hardest part of the day. That is the time that you can slow down and realize how far from home you are. How long it is going to be until you see you loved ones again. The fact that the sexy woman I am used to sleeping next to is in an empty bed far away as I lay down in my empty bunk as well. The fact that every night before bed I went in to each of the kids rooms and just looked at them sleep. How peaceful their faces were, even the teenager when she slept looked like my baby girl that it still seems like only yesterday she was born and she is soon to be 15. Far from a baby. My blue eyed beautiful little girl that is growing up so fast these days, this summer at camp she had her first dance with a boy that will still tease her about being her boyfriend. Then there is the Monster, he turns 6 in a few months. Mamalang tells me he is already showing signs of maturity. I have coached him in soccer for a few seasons now. He has always showed promise that when he really wanted to play well he was going to be very good. The little turd decided now would be a good time. Finally scored his first goal and I was no where near to see it.

I have been away from home a few times, the longest time was 5 months but was able to visit home then a few times in that 5 months. This is the first time I am going to be away for as long as I am. It may be easier when my days are so full there is no time to catch my breath. That is only because I wont have the time to think of them when ever I see something. I have seen lizards, coyotes, road runners, rattle snakes, hawks and the most beautiful sun rises and sun sets in the mountains that make me think of my family and what each of them would like about it. One might run, another would pick up and play with, one would actually watch the sun while another might keep talking about wanting to climb the mountains.

I am glad they are all coping well with me being gone. I had hoped so and so far my hopes are coming true.

I miss my family, I miss my toys, I miss my bed, I miss beer. The biggest thing I miss most of all is the feeling of my wife's arms around me, the smell of her skin fresh out of a shower, the warmth of her body against mine, her voice telling me it is all going to be alright. She is my rock, the center of my world, the reason I keep going every day. She is my wife, but she is so much more.
My Friend
My Lover
My Confidant
My Memory
My Strength
My Soul
She is the best part of me, I thank god every day for her, for him blessing me by bringing her into my life. I love you