“I know. But he has to go,” I explained.
Natalie puffed out her lip. “I hate this.”
She’s a total daddy’s girl. She had his heart from the second she was born. When she was an infant, she refused to sleep unless she was being held. She slept many hours on her daddy’s chest and as she got bigger as learned to crawl, it was HIM that she’d eagerly crawl to.
Natalie clung to him the entire morning before he had to go.
“I love your face, Daddy.”
Before he left, he was telling her that he loved her very much.
“I don’t want you to go.”
It’s tough for her. It’s tough for everyone.
That night as I tucked her in bed, I recited a poem that I got from an old movie. Remember The Little Princess with Shirley Temple? When her Daddy has to go away, he told her to repeat this:
My daddy has to go away
But he’ll return most any day
Any moment I may see
My Daddy coming back to me
I hear her muttering it sometimes.
She can see him online at least, which is something.
It helps.
Posts
Sending hugs and love. I am sure he misses you all too...but he will be back! Perhaps to 'ease the pain', instead of counting the days he had been gone, start the countdown on when he will be back.
ReplyDeleteI think it's tougher on the kids than on us. Bless her little heart! Praying he returns safe and soon! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm in tears.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you all have to endure this.
Please know that all of your sacrifice for this does not go unnoticed and unappreciated.
You are in our prayers always.
That is so sweet but so sad!
ReplyDeleteDaddy's girls are so sweet! I'll be thinking of you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI cannot even imagine what it must be like for the families of our service members. I am so grateful for all of the sacrifices you make. I watch Welcome Home Blog videos sometimes and inevitably end up bawling my eyes out. You and your family are in my thoughts!! Wishing Tom a safe and fast deployment.
ReplyDelete...and yuo hve me in tears.
ReplyDeleteHugs to both of you!
Aw, sadness. Poor little one.
ReplyDeleteOh sweet sweet thing. Glad she will be able to see him online at least
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. Seeing people online isn't the same, but it's great that it's possible.
ReplyDeleteI knew clicking over would make me cry!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet relationship these two have ♥
ReplyDeleteIt had to be so hard when they don't really understand.
ReplyDeleteIt must be awful to say goodbye. Good luck to everyone.
ReplyDeleteLisaDay
This is sooo hard. I hope time passes quickly!
ReplyDeletecouldn't imagine how hard it would have been to be married to a military man or being the child of a military man 30 years ago before cell phones and computers
ReplyDeleteOh, this is just heartbreaking. The pictures of her clinging to him just gut me. :( I just can't imagine how difficult this is for all of you. She is so lucky to have you. You are so in tune with her and her needs. --Lisa
ReplyDelete*tears!*
ReplyDeleteWe had a close call with a possible deployment, but it got cancelled due to budget cuts. About the only GOOD thing I've seen with that mess. I dread having to go through this with Bella now that she's older and understands.
Big, big hugs! For you and the kids!
So heartbreaking. I sure hope the time goes fast or all of you. I can only imagine how hard that was for Daddy. Hang in there Amber
ReplyDeleteBig hugs to you and your girl!
ReplyDeleteThis is heartbreaking! I just said goodbye to my man and I can't imagine trying to do it with a little one. I hope you're both able to Skype him often.
ReplyDeletePoor little girl. It's hard saying goodbye when a father has to travel for the job on just small trips, but when your daddy is gone for MONTHS, sometimes over a YEAR at a time, that's got to be hard to take. Thank God for Skype, facetime, etc, to keep close.
ReplyDeleteThis has also got to be hard on you and Tommy. Hang in there. Thinking of you. :)
Hang in there. I hope time goes by quickly and that she gets to talk to Daddy often!
ReplyDelete*sniff* you ARE so strong...
ReplyDelete