Matt left yesterday. There was a deployment ceremony in La Grande... it was just the Dog & Pony Show, really. The Governor was there to stroke his own ego and reputation, they introduced the wives of the commanders, letters were read by the assistants of senators who didn't feel like coming, and all the while I was thinking, "I could be spending time with my husband right now!" After the ceremony, they dismissed the companies to spend time with their family members, except Alpha company... Matt's company. This was the group of men who Governor Ted decided to shake hands with EVERY SOLDIER and say something personal! It was at least 20 minutes after the other soldiers had been dismissed that we finally got Matt.
But when we finally did get him, it was so awesome! There were 22 people there just to support Matt, so thank you to everyone who came out.
Matt and I got some time for just the two of us in the midst of all the craziness. We watched the kids run around and play, talked about what we're going to do when he gets home... he wants to take the family to Disneyland! I said that sounds a plan to me!
When it was time to say goodbye, the whole family walked over to Matt's bus together. I don't think I've ever walked so slow in my life! Everyone got to hug Matt and tell them that they love him. We tried to make it as fast and as painless as possible, as impossible as it was. It was a nice theory! Matt cried when he held Karleigh. Michael gave Daddy a great big smasher hug. Then it was my turn. We had already said everything that could be said, so we just held eachother. I tried to take in what he felt like, what he smelled like, memorize his kiss.
We watched him walk away, and he turned around to wave at the door of the bus. The windows were shaded so we couldn't see inside. We stood there until they drove away. They had a police escort out of town... the busses just kept coming, there had to have been close to 15. When the last bus disappeared we all just looked at eachother. There was nothing to say. I went into complete denial and started to organize where we were going to lunch before we left town! We went to eat as a family and talked about Matt and told the stories about him as a child that we've all heard a million times, but they still make us laugh and smile. We parted ways after that. I drove back to Pilot Rock with my mom and Karleigh, and Michael drove with my dad.
Last night was just kind of numb. I did laundry and dishes, made dinner for the kids, pretty much anything to keep from sitting, because sitting would mean thinking, and thinking would mean crying.
So, now its around 2:30 on Wednesday, I have to go pick up Michael from school in a few minutes. My parents left around 1, Karleigh is sleeping, and the house has been quiet. I still haven't had a good cry. It will happen, I'm just not sure when.
Keep Matt in your prayers, he will being going through a lot in the next few months. Thank you everyone for your love and support. We appreciate it!
No comments:
Post a Comment