06 July 2004 * 18:35
Today has been so hard. William and I got to sleep around midnight. We got up at 03:00 and left at 04:00. He got his rifle and figured out how to put the sling on it. It is nasty as all get out though. The rifle, not the sling. It is awful. All of them were nasty. Guess they will be cleaning them tonight, LOL.
Well, I help put the goody bags out and everything, and I see the Tedford's car. I find them and Mama T is already crying. I leave. Then Mom gets there with the girls. We all go out and watch our Marines in formation. They are told where to take their gear and William comes and talks to us a bit and goes to load up. There are just a few guys loading up everyone elses stuff, and their CO made them stop and made the others work some too. So he comes and we hold each other and he loves on the kids and chats with his family. Then they have another formation. He hugs is and kisses us but we thought they would have a chance to do so again. They march to the buses, and get their goody bags on the way. I took us through a shortcut to get to him faster, and right when we came out he was at the table. He was crying. He had been fighting it off and on for the last hour. Then his group goes straight to the bus. I am in shock. I thought we would get more time. Then they other groups stop to hug and kiss family some more. I march my fat butt right up to his bus and ask his CO to tell him to come out, LOL. He does, and we hug really tight and we cry. We kiss and he just puts his forehead to mine and we say "I love you" and he loves on the girls and his parents get hugs again. Then he grabs my hand and squeezes tighter and tighter as he walks onto the bus until we can't hold on anymore, both of us crying. I made it till then, so I am proud, LOL.
Lauren was being carried around by his uncle Chuck, and she was passed out. So we load the car seats and kids into the car. I get behind Mom who is like 5th in line to get out. The buses are in the road of course, and we have to wait. MSgt Holladay sees me and comes over to ask me of we need a drink and I say no. He asked if I was going to run the a/c (the kids and I were soaked and red) and I told him it was broken. He said I might be there a while, so if I wanted to take them in I could. I said I would just leave them, we would be OK. I find out later that he goes to the Tedford's and talks to them and he tells them what a fine Marine he thinks William is going to turn out to be and how precious I am, LOL. Precious huh? Riiiight. No, really I like that he likes me. Then Christina comes by and tells me if I need anything to call her, and I offer her the same. She was choking up and I was too. She gave Kaylee a balloon and of course when we get out and get going she lets go of the balloon itself and the thing gets sucked out the window, but the string is still in the car.
So, I cry for a bit. Mama T was amazed that I was keeping it in until I got home. Now what kind of KV would I be if I broke down in front of everyone? Would you want the nut who lost it in front of everyone to be your point of contact and source of support? I don't think so. I kept falling asleep while I was driving home too. The kids slept thank God.
I get home and break down for aminute when I walk into the bedroom and see his dress cover, and his PJ's and stuff. Later I see a fajita kit he had wanted that I never cooked and I cry. I felt worse because he had asked for a fresh meal last night and I told him all I had was leftovers. I didn't have the green peppers to go into the fajitas though. And I broke down again a little while ago seeing his watch and some of his junk on his dresser. I already know what the next one will be....laundry. Putting away his clothes for almost a year. I feel like I am trying to forget him by putting everything away. I miss him already and I want him home. He is only in Cali, but it is far away too. But it isn't a war zone.
Lauren and Mama T were shown on the news. William was briefly. But of course the story was shorter when I was sitting here ready to record. Then the 3rd time it was even shorter. Maybe the 10 pm will be the long one again.
Well, I am going to go for now. Stef H is on the phone. Nope, it is pitch black out and I just saw some really bright lightning. I think there is a rough storm heading this way with a lot of lightning. I better get this in and close out!
Stephee
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