A Hero's Welcome

My sweet husband deployed to Afghanistan in August. We expected this to be a nine month deployment, as is the usual. We knew there was a chance that troops may be sent home early, but his unit was maybe second or third on our list of who may be sent home. When we found out that he was one of the many soldiers coming home early as a part of the draw down in the middle east, we were (I was) ecstatic! The feeling of joy was met with another feeling... maybe guilt? Maybe sorrow? Maybe just unsure?

My husband was coming home, but there are many (many more) of my friends who's spouses are still in harms way, or will never make it "home" to their family's loving arms. I am overjoyed to have my husband home with me, and celebrating his return is almost unreal :). However, I will always be mindful of the fact that when my trooper comes home, another leaves or has stayed behind to replace him. Thank you, all of our troopers, and families, who are staying strong to carry on! We love you and can't wait to share similar memories with you! Here's a little bit of what it might be like (photo credits to Jill Grogg... see her SmugMug link below) :)

http://jgrogg.smugmug.com/Family/Miller-Homecoming/i-B7LGztH