Now I remember why I don't visit family during the holidays while he's deployed. I love them dearly and miss them, all of them, but it seems like all I did today was talk about my husband and what he's doing, where he is, how long he'll be gone ("Oh, that's not that long." "August will be here before you know it." "That's not so bad." - See here.) A whole two or three people asked what I'd been up to. One even asked if I was working, despite that I've been self-employed for nearly a year now.

I also got lots of "I don't know how you do it" type statements. Yeah, me neither, please don't expect some big explanation. Oh and I can't forget the "I could never do that" statements. Yes, you could, just like I can. But hey, I'm doing fine, thanks for genuinely asking how I'm doing during the deployment instead of just talking about my husband. (Plenty of hey, how-are-yas but only one or two people genuinely asking.) Thanks for also talking about your daughter's high school friend who deployed 6 years ago or your granddaughter's half sister's fiance who was severely injured recently. Mmm, 'kay. Nah, I'm not at all worried about him, that helps so much.

I'd much rather just come visit my dad, step-mom and step-brothers than deal with a full day of extended family only talking about my husband and making his absence that much more acute. I don't think I'll be doing this over a holiday again. I just can't handle it, be it my family or his. I think I prefer my military family on the holidays, they just get it.

Oh and did I mention I missed his call, despite that the phone was in my lap and it was nearly two in the morning for him so he was making a special effort to call? Topped the day off perfectly.

I hate holidays during a deployment.

Disclaimer: I am hormonal. Hugs, commiseration, chocolate, liquor all welcome. Please take lectures, no matter how uplifting they're meant to be, elsewhere. At least over the next week.