Yes it does. No question about it. Don't try to argue the point. But while it undeniably stinks there are a few things that aren't quite so horrible about it.
Care packages for instance, any military wife will tell you that care packages can be a lot of fun to put together. They also for just a few moments can make you feel a little less lonely. Just imagining your husband's face when he opens said package and sees all the goodies you stick inside, not to mention the cute decorations and the personal messages, can make your day a little better.
Another thing that helps deployments seem a little less never ending is the opportunity you have to go visit family. I have been able to have a nice long visit with my family. I moved quite aways from my family when I got married and have only had a few visits back since then. I have been able to spend some quality time with family and friends that I have only seen a handful of times in the past 5 years and the kids have gotten to spend a lot of time with "Grandma" and "Papa."
Then there are the friendships that you develop with some of the other wives who are going through the same thing. Sometimes God sends us special friends when we need them most. I have made a good friend who I will probably have for the rest of my life during this time. Bri is sweet and sincere. Our husband's are good buddies and our kids are close in age.
Then there are the friends you have had for years. They know you. They know when you are having a hard time almost instinctively and they know just how too cheer you up. Deployment gives you a little more time to spend with these friends.
Then there are the hobbies that you pursue to keep yourself sane. Crocheting, coloring, reading, doing laundry, wait back up a second doing laundry isn't a hobby! It is if you are potty training a two year old though. You do laundry so often you would think it was something that you love lol. Seriously though I have read more during this deployment than I have for a while. My husband is gone and suddenly I have a couple hours in the evening that I can sit down and breathe and say yes the floor needs to be washed and yes there is a load of laundry that needs to be started but right now I need a break. So I read for a little bit, or do a puzzle, or crochet, or color and feel better a little more rested and a little less frazzled. I have always loved to read. When you read you can travel the world without ever leaving your home.
Deployment can also be good for your marriage. You have to work harder to stay connected and find new ways to communicate but it can help you realize how important your marriage is and just how much your husband means to you. My husband and I talk, text, and video chat as often as we can and we have a couples devotional to do together as well as a book that I am reading to him when we have the time. Though we are physically far away from each other our hearts have been knit closer together.
So yes deployment can be rough but there are lots of things to be thankful for in the end, including the ability to think positive.
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