Hubby is traveling. Some of you have seen him more recently than the three left on the farm. Lucky you. He called today as I was putting Son1 down for a nap. My mom said he called the house phone and my cell, neither of which I answer when I am crazy with kids. Mom insisted on letting me know who it was, because, after all, she loves the fact that Hubby calls specifically to speak to Son1 pretty close to coming home from preschool. I thought the better of it right before I read a naptime story and he said his prayer and grabbed my cell Mom had left for me. I hit SEND.
"Daddy?!!?"
"Hi Son 1. I heard you got a choo choo." (YES that is ANOTHER story of how I reserved the special Christmas choo choos from Wal Mart a week ago.)
"Yeah, my Santa choo choo. Daddy, you come to my house?"
"No, I am not coming home today. You have to wake up seven more times and then I will be home."
And something happened that has yet to happen. Son1 broke down in heaving and crying in absolute sadness with some HUGE crocodile tears. I mean some real brokenheartedness. I knew this day would come because I have already experienced Son1's disappointment when Daddy is gone...some asking if he could save something for Daddy, if he could show something to Daddy, refusing to come to the phone to talk to Daddy, pouting when he knows I tell him Daddy is going on the plane without him, asking where Daddy went, hoping Daddy is home when we get back from shopping, and a whole slew of other times.
I got back on the phone. This was not the conversation Hubby was expecting to have with his son. I know that he doesn't like to be away, most of the time, anyway.
"Oh, that broke his heart. I am so sorry," I said.
Over and over, Son1 cried, "Broke my heart! Broke my heart!" Sigh....I didn't mean to have him repeat those words. I have never heard him use those words before. He knows love and that a heart loves, and it feels good. Toys get broken...so understanding "broke my heart" didn't take too much effort. And that really broke my heart.
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OH, R, that broke my heart too! Isn't it just amazing how kids can do that?! Such a sweet tenderness that you don't even know if your heart can take it! I hope big S has a safe trip home and is enjoying wherever he is right now! Glad your mom is there to help! much love, rach
ReplyDeleteIt is hard on the whole family when Dad has to leave. My little guy weathered 18 months of Dad being in Iraq last year and everyday was a challenge. Next it will be 12 month deployment and I think this will be even hard because the boys are getting older. So I understand phone calls like that big time, they just break your heart over and over. Great POST!!!!!!!!!!!!
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