Day 246: Mail

Today after school, as is my routine, I checked the mail before heading off post for our Thursday errands and activities. In the mail, I found two cards with the words "Free Mail" written where the postage should have been. They were cards from Ian. One was addressed to me, the other to the three kids. I let the kids read theirs first. My kids read the card Ian wrote to them telling them how much he missed them and how much he is looking forward to their cuddle and wrestle time that they will have in four months when he gets home. The kids all smiled and talked about how they can't wait for their daddy to come home, what their plans are for when he comes home, and how much they miss him.

Then, I opened my card. This is what I saw.

Yup, you guessed it.... I cried. Like a baby, I cried. I had to sit there in the car (luckily the kids were distracted by a movie) and I cried for a few minutes. It was exactly what I needed to hear from him. It has been rough for me for a while now, and sometimes I feel like I am failing him. Sometimes I feel like I am not holding down the fort well enough, like I am not holding on for him. I have felt down. This card told me exactly what I needed to hear, that I still matter and that he feels I am supporting him and holding on to him. It made me feel like I was doing okay at this and that my husband knew that I am here for him. He knows I am waiting for him and will continue to do so until he returns. No matter what we have gone through or will go through, we are there to hold on to each other. I am so grateful to have gotten this card, today of all days was particularly difficult. He sent it over 2 weeks ago not knowing when I would get it, and not knowing that it would show up just when I needed it to.