The emotions of the past week

As we got into Friday evening, the emotions of everything began to weigh on me.  Robert knew it, and I tried very hard to be strong.  I couldn't however, ignore the meaning of everything happening around me.

For one thing, Robert will be leaving the middle of January for a pacific island.  His orders are for three years there.  Us visiting him is extremely cost prohibitive.  Even him visiting us is super expensive.  We are hoping he might be able to come back in 17 months for Catherine's high school graduation.  However, that is not a sure thing, either from the timing or from a financial standpoint. Knowing my son was leaving and it could be more than year (or even years) before I see him again was a tough reality to face.  Add to it the fact that my father-in-law may not know who he is next time, or even be around, and those were some serious emotions.

There is also the fact that Robert brought a dog with him.  Turns out this dog is only a four-month-old puppy.  Our sweet Abby is less than thrilled, although she is very tolerant.  Of course Catherine and Thomas adore this puppy and are doing a very good job of being helpful and caring for the dog.  It was tough for Robert to say goodbye to the dog yesterday, and when the dog realized Robert wasn't here, he was sad as well.  It hurt my heart.  I'm also concerned about the kids being attached to the dog.  He is supposed to go to my mom's house to live for a couple of months on Thursday, but I don't want her getting too attached either, and I'm not entirely certain she is going to put up with him.  I could handle him being here for a while, but it isn't what I want for us.  I feel guilt that part of me is irritated with Robert for adopting a puppy right before going overseas, but I understand how it happened since Robert is incredibly impulsive and this is a sweet puppy.

I am so very, very grateful for the amount of time we all had together last week.  I was a little caught off guard that I was so emotional at the end (although lack of sleep played a part as well).  It was hard knowing Robert would be so far away, but him being a functioning member of society is certainly what we had been going for, and I'm proud of him.  I'm so grateful he loves the Navy, and I love what the Navy has done for him.

We still have a week until school begins again.  I am looking forward to a bit of quiet time before it all gets crazy again.