Our Marine on Leave

Well, he left today. Time with our Marine went so fast--all we have are the pictures and memories that he was even here. He paid for a later trip back to his base so he could spend five and a half extra hours with us. Parting was very hard. Very hard. I think I held him a bit too long at the airport. I just didn't want to let him go. The guy in the Lexus in front of us was looking at us and then over at our Marine. Our Marine's hair was longer than I have seen it in quite sometime and he was in his civilian clothes so he didn't scream "Marine" when you looked at him. He was flying under the radar so to speak and just a regular twenty year old young man for a couple of weeks. Megan was able to come here from Texas with our three little grandchildren. What a treat it was to have them here. I know it meant a lot to our Marine, and he was so great and gentle and patient with his nephews and nieces. He spent quality time with them. He deemed most of the days "family time" and made certain to go to movies with his sisters, dinner, etc. He is very young after all, and has spent a lot of time off with his friends in the past. I couldn't find the picture of him in a black wig. Oh, we laughed at him. He looked a bit like the recently demised Michael Jackson. You'll have to check them out on Face book, as I can't find them on this computer. Below are some pictures that I love.....

I was in the house and heard these monstrously BIG splashes coming from the pool area. The mother in me wanted to go outside and do some serious yelling to be careful and cut it out. I said a silent prayer that they would be protected....and sent Kristi out to investigate. This is a picture of Matt and our Marine doing karate type moves as they jump into the pool. I couldn't believe how synchronized they looked.

Our Marine showing some good form.
How a Marine unwinds. (And winds up his mom.)

Going shopping with his sisters.

Toughie, Wephers, Our Marine and Matt waiting for Risti. I just love this picture. Two of my babies and two of my grandchildren shopping at the mall and having a fun afternoon.

Back at the pool. My pictures are out of order....as usual. I should delete it, but not gonna.

Doing karate with dad. They were doing forms every night. One Friday, our Marine told his dad he better skip practice if he was going to do karate with their instructor Saturday, or he would be too tired!

Mr Wonderful lead us in a family prayer before we left to take our Marine to the airport. He leaves soon for his first deployment overseas. Mr Wonderful cried. I cried. We all cried. When someone remarked that even Toughie was crying, he said he had itchy eyes. We all have had itchy eyes all day.

Our Marine texted me twice this evening--once, when he landed in Charlotte and once when he was back on base. I hate it that he is alone without any family....except for the other Marines.

On the way back from the airport, I told Mr Wonderful that I hoped our son came back from Iraq the way we sent him--in one piece. I thought of the young soldier from Idaho that was captured in Afghanistan recently.....and his family. Mr Wonderful said, whatever happens, he will still be our son. Life doesn't come with any guarantees, but one truth is certain, he is our son and we love him. I just hope he knows how loved he is......in the heavens and here on earth, too.