Happy Birthday Mario

I dreaded my birthday and Mother's Day for days beforehand because Mario wouldn't be here to celebrate with me. But my kids made both days wonderful for me (not to mention all Mario's kind emails, gifts, and blog pictures.) Now I have found June 20th to be probably the hardest day for me since Mario has been gone. Today is Mario's birthday and Father's Day. I love celebrating these days with Mario. Growing up, Mario's family never made a big deal out of these holidays, so Mario doesn't expect much. But I love decorating, making a cake and all his favorite foods. So not being able to make a big deal out of his birthday and Father's Day has been really sad for me. I am just glad they fall on the same day this year so I only have one day to be sad, but too be honest, I have been sad about it all week. Probably doesn't help that I haven't been feeling well all week from my dental work.

I think I better bring a whole box of tissues to church with me. But that may scare people and they will think something bad has happened to Mario. I am sad that the kids don't have him here to celebrate Father's Day. I am sure there will be a lot of talk about Fathers at church. But I have noticed that the kids are much more resilient than I am.

As hard as it is to have Mario away, I am grateful for men (and women) who sacrifice so much to defend our country. It is only fair that Mario takes his turn at a deployment. I am just glad that his first turn is winding down and hopefully his next deployment (if there has to be a next one) won't be for a few years and it will be to Latin America instead of Iraq or Afghanistan.

Here's a quote from a recent email from Mario regarding his deployment:

I miss you very much. I do feel sad that I can't be with you and the family on Father's Day. But, I've been looking forward to it and my Birthday because it is at the tail end of the deployment. I'm at about 2 months away from see you. I know without doubt the Lord sent me here for a reason, several reasons actually. We didn't know the AF would be cutting folks, but the Lord did. This deployment really beefs up my record. I got a great stratification statement, actually its the best I've gotten in 12 years. I also am getting the best medal I've gotten in 12 years. I get deployment experience in my record. Serious, World Series level deployment experience. I also get joint credit, which is a big deal for FGOs.

Those are just the career related benefits. I also think I'll be much stronger for being here. I will, I hope, be a better father and husband. I have learned so much about people and life. I've become more compassionate and understanding of others. I'm sure you'd rather have me home, and so would I. But we're almost there. Not much longer now.