A simple text…”Hello mother” (a goofy term of endearment)…and “I’m in Hawaiii”…the tears begin to flow. He’s safe! He’s almost home (to his home in California)! My middle son has been deployed for the last 9 months. The weight that is lifted off my heart is noticeable, to say the least!
I expected his deployment to be hard but how it really took over a part of my heart was bigger than I thought it would be. Of course I missed him and prayed for him constantly, but I could never quite push the worry out…worry for his body AND heart. I held my breath between every phone call, Facebook message or Skype. Is he safe?
We were in our hotel room when we received another text…”I can see California!” We cheered! Then later in the day…”I just got off the boat!” I thought I was going to come out of my skin!
Back home after our homecoming complete with tears and laughter, and three very special days with our sons, my heart is full. I look forward to our next reunion and what lies ahead on this journey with my three sons.
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Deanna Sturgeon lives in Michigan with her husband of 30 years. A mother of three boys and three grandchildren, she loves spending time with her family and friends, camping, lounging at the beach, and reading. She is learning to embrace what wild Jesus has for her through love, dreams, hope and laughter.
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You made me cry! I cannot imagine what it has been like for you. I just know when I read the words “we just got off the boat”, I teared up and got goosebumps. My heart just grew too sizes bigger because you shared yours with us. Thank you Deanna!
Thank you Ann for your kind words!
Deanna,
I love your truth that his deployment took over a bigger part of your heart than you thought, and you look forward to our next reunion and what lays ahead with my three sons. My heart jumped as I read this today with tears in my eyes for you and your sons (Oak Trees :)) Thank you for the pictures and sharing your heart with us.
Thank you Tom! And for the Oak Trees reminder 🙂
My mother’s heart sits with you as you wait…worrying, but trying to trust, fearful, but unafraid. Oh, the absolute privilege to bear the wounds of mothering in community! Thank you for sharing your journey.
…the absolute privilege to bear the wounds of mothering in community! SO ture!
…the absolute privilege to bear the wounds of mothering in community! SO true!
So happy for you. Hope you had more fun than the law allows. Love, Marilyn V.
We did Marilyn….thanks!
Proud of you and your boys!
Deanna,
Our youngest is a 2X Iraq veteran, and I remember those feelings of saying goodbye and welcome home so well – it takes so slight remembrance to bring tears, even though some years have passed. Thanks for sharing.
Love your mother’s heart, and also how your son is playful with you in his “hello mother.” So grateful along with you that he is home safe!
So grateful you had this time to welcome your son home and affirm his importance in your life.
Look at those men you mothered. Job well done, woman! And it is never over this side of eternity. A mother is always a mother then a grandma, then a great, and may y our heart be full as you experience the glad / sad times together.