Something Added.

I snuggled up to my big man & lay my head on his chest. A tear slipped out one eye & rolled down into the other, which turned on the slow trickle that's hard to cut off once it gets going. Breathing in & out I told myself the same thing I'd said over & over as we approached this day, "It's only a month and the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over." My mind drifted to my neighbors who recently kissed their husbands goodbye until next summer. Whew, a few weeks apart is nothing in comparison.

Regardless, whether a day, a week, or for months at a time, I do not like doing life without Mr. Beless by my side. Our last extended time apart took place in February when he went away for work. To be honest, that one didn't go so well for me, which elicited some anxiety as we approached yet another period of physical separation. I prayed a lot, talked with other Army wives, and tried to be proactive in developing a healthier approach so that it wouldn't be broadsided again. My theme for the month became, "Something added," instead of, "Something's missing." 

Last time Brooks was away I really believed I was missing out on something I deserved. That's a pretty dreary way of doing life for a month, especially since time with Brooks is a gift, not something I deserve. This time I've tried to look for the undeserved gifts that God has given to me and oh my, they are abundant!

Plus some mental pictures of time spent with Meredith/Reece/Kimberly/Suzanne!

The best part is that all of the 'somethings added' point to the One Who gives & gives & gives:

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17