In just 4 short days we will officially be in THE LAST MONTH OF DEPLOYMENT! It felt like it was never going to get here, but sure enough, with a little bit of time, it’s coming!
I got to talk to Matt the other day and he sounds like he is more than ready to be home! I would imagine so after almost 11 months of being there! He is back at Tillman now and they have officially closed Munoz! I think he was sooo ready to be done with that place! They were back to primitive living like when they first got there- no water to bathe, only MRE’s…you get the picture!
Here’s a picture that someone posted on Facebook of Matt and all the guys! Can you spot Matt?
I’ve gotta run…busy, busy, busy getting ready for him to come home! Stay tuned for more info regarding his homecoming!
P.S. this girl will be making an appearance in good ‘ole Illinois for the Fourth of July festivities at Uncle Drew and Amanda’s! Hope to see you there!
Early this morning I was awoken by the stark ringing of the phone. As I felt around in the dark room, following the light to my phone, the name 'Amanda' shown on my cell phone. "Oh no" I kept uttering over and over again subconsciously. I only hoped that it wouldn't be what I thought. Amanda's soft voice quivered as she delivered the bad news. Matt flashed across my mind. How was I supposed to tell him this? He had hoped to be able to see him right when he got back. Immediately I put in a Red Cross message (the second one in about a 6 hour period of time) delivering the bad news with the hopes that I could subliminally ask Matt to call me so I could deliver the news a little gentler.
I lay back down, but my brain wouldn't stop.
3:30am: Phone rings and this time it's Matt. I answer, trying not to sound sleepy so he doesn't feel bad about calling so late. He had received the first Red Cross message, but not the second. I had to break the news to him and I felt so bad because he is 7400 miles across the world and I'm sure he feels so helpless. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let him come home.
It's difficult to provide comfort in an instance like this, over the phone. What do you say? I simply reminded him that he was given the privilege to visit with Grandpa Freddie before he left for deployment. It was an amazing visit. I would say that it is my fondest memory. I remember that Grandpa Freddie was sitting outside by himself when we walked up. We talked with him about everyday things and he wished Matt well, begging him with tears in his eyes to do all he could to come home alright. He said he was proud of Matt. Not a dry eye in the house! I loved his advice for Matt about love: 'Always hold your wife's hand in the parking lot, open the door for her, tell her she is beautiful-everyday, and occasionally pat her on the butt and tell her you love her.' I loved the way he stated that - so blunt, but so true. He was a lover and I love that he passed that advice down! You bet Matt follows each of those and he learned it from the best! I remember as we walked to the truck, hand in hand, Matt said, "That might have been my last visit with him, but it was a great one!" Bittersweet describes it well. Bittersweet.
This photo was taken that day. They both really do look very happy! I'm glad I got to share this moment!
Thank you, Grandpa Freddie, for teaching my mister the ways of love! Thank you for making such an impact on him and for being such a strong role model! I hope you are resting in heaven in the front seat of your favorite classic car, feet kicked up on the dash, bucket of popcorn, watching down on the lives of your loved ones playing like your favorite drive-in movie. You will be missed, but never forgotten! We love you.
To all of his children, family and friends, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I know he was a great man and he will be missed. I hope you can find strength in the happy memories that each of you have shared with him. Let that provide you some comfort. Time will heal your pain. Big hugs to each of you!
Tia: Is anyone there?? (cricket, cricket) hmm... maybe they think I forgot about 'em!?
I apologize for the delay in correspondence! I have been busy catching up on my double life! ;)
Of course I’m kidding! I’m back to my busy, busy work! Being off for 2 weeks was worth it, but now I have stacks of work to catch up on!
I had an epiphany yesterday when someone told me the date….JUNE 1!!!!! Now, we can say, Matt will home next month! Oh how that makes me so happy! Those sad lonely days are now a thing of the past because now and I have a new focus…the end is near…in a good way! ;)
Matt and I had an amazing visit while he was home on his R&R! Things he did a lot of: eating, sleeping, playing guitar and surfing craigslist! Oh, and a lot of cuddling with his honey! JHe came to me skinny and left with tight fitting pants! MISSION COMPLETE! Operation ‘Fatten up Matt” was a success!
I snapped this photo slyly...
When his mom asked him what he wanted to do most he said, “Come home and play house with Tia”. Maybe I shouldn’t have exposed his raw emotion, but I thought it was such a sweet gesture, I just had to share! Just melts a girls heart!
While he was home, we took a trip to Nashville. He wanted to check out Guitar Center and I had other things on the agenda, like, looking at furniture for instance… Matt had just a couch in the living room and it really wasn’t enough furniture to seat more than 2 comfortably, so he picked up a really nice leather furniture set from a store in Nashville. It really helps to make it look ‘homey’!
Matt modeling the new furniture! Passed the sleeping test! ;)
This is one of him being silly, but it makes me smile!
Alas, the 2 weeks came to an end and I had to send him off on a jet plane. Can’t help but think of this song whenever he leaves…
Only difference is that I KNOW when he will be home, sort of… he informed us that his redeployment date (back to the states) was going to be a whole month early!! HOLD THE PHONE…did he say ONE month?! What could my wondering ears be hearing! I just got to talk to him the other day and he said that the date has since changed, no surprise. I’ve learned not to hold my breath, but rather to EXPECT change! So, for now, the date will be sometime at the end of July. Still not holding my breath! However, early is early and I’ll take it!!
He is back at Tillman, for now. There were talks of sending him to Munoz, but when I spoke to him yesterday, he hadn’t left for it yet.
One important note: The last day to mail anything to Matt is July 1. So, if there’s anything you want to send to him, do it before then. I asked him if he needed anything and he said no, not really. Truth be told, if you mailed him some magazines, I think he would read them! J I will be sending a package this month with some basic supplies: gum, starbursts, skittles, kit kat… You know, the essentials! ;)
Thank you all for listening, or reading rather, to the post! Our man is safe and well and ready to come back home! Keep Matt in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully in 7 weeks, we will be welcoming him back home for good!
