The new normal

 It is amazing how quickly you settle into the new "normal". Andy has been gone for 10 weeks now, and his space has been filled.

 That sounds ugly, and I don't mean it that way.

 You can ask my Mom and sisters, who have to put up with the sighs and comments - I spend LOTS of time thinking about Andy. Talking about him. Pulling out pictures. Reciting stupid little stories of our "early days". I even took the boys over to see the exact spot where I first met their daddy. Yes, I remember. Or at least, I can get within 50 feet or so of the exact spot. Shorter University isn't that big. I certainly remember the exact moment.

 But that huge empty hole in the schedule of every day life?

 Gone.

 Those moments in the "depths of despair"?

 They have passed.

 That is the thing about military life. You adjust.

 I get to talk to him every day. Sometimes we have 15 or 20 minutes of sharing the boys latest escapades and hearing about his adventures and mishaps. Other times he literally just calls to say "I love you." I actually got an entire hour the Saturday before last.

 But day to day life; school, dinner, the books I read and even the tragedy of curling up in bed by myself.

 Andy, or the lack of Andy, isn't playing as important of a role anymore. It simply is what it is.

 We get to visit  him this weekend. I am so filled with excitement and anticipation that I can promise you  most of this week will simply be a countdown. We get 48 entire hours with him.

 A visit.

 But only a visit.

 Then we come back and remind ourselves that we live here, and he lives there.

 For now.

 Come June, we will have to figure out how to live together again.

 Ah, military life...

 However, even while insanely busy my love found a few minutes to txt his best friend and ask that he have flowers delivered for me.

 Just because.

 Over and over again he has proven himself to be someone worth missing.

 Life is good, even when it is hard.  Blessings,