Three Liberty Days

My husband was able to spend three days off the ship this week, from Friday till today (Sunday). He just, in fact, got back on the ship tonight [afternoon their time] to go to that area again. I had that same feelings again, every time he's about to leave - worrying, wanting to hold him back and not let him go just yet, wishing I could hold him, hug him and kiss him, and all that. I'm sure that we had the same feelings at that very moment, I heard it in his voice. We were talking still on the phone even up to the last minute before they boarded the helo, and like before and always, I never wanted to let go. If only it was possible for us to still continue talking over the phone even while they're already up on air. The only thing that made it less harder this time is, God willing, this week is going to be their last week out there and they'd be sent back to the ship where they actually are from.

I may not be there with him physically to see him take off along with the other soldiers, but I know the pain when seeing your most-loved person leaves is just as intense as being actually there to witness it personally. I think, it's even harder not being able to be there to even give my husband hugs and kisses and just be able to tell him in person how much I love him and that I'll be waiting for his return. It may be hard to see them disappear right before our very eyes, but it gives them the assurance and comfort that they have someone - who loves them with all of their heart - they will look forward to coming home to.

I never thought they'd give them liberty time - not exactly like day-off or something but a sort of time off the ship - so I was surprised when I suddenly received a phone call from him on Friday evening. He just told me in his letter that I shouldn't send him e-mails to his e-mail ad on the ship because something came up and they might be moved to a different area. I had no idea they'd be sent back to that place. I'm thankful to God that at least, for three days, they were given time for themselves to relax somehow and we were able to talk to each other over the phone. He'd call me for like five to six times a day and still would send me text messages right after every conversation just to tell me (again) how much he loves and misses me, and I got to see him on webcam!! Not too long, though because of the slow connection. It froze up on us just even before I had the chance to really relish myself watching him. Oh, how I missed him so much and how I always miss him every single moment ;(

We also got to buy together something for our grandparents in Samar - obviously, not together physically - over the phone. He called me and we discoursed about what stuff to buy for them and he'd tell me if he has seen one and asked me if that thing would do or not. It wasn't hard for him to find something for grandma - something we both agreed on buying for her, but it got a little bit harder on what to get for grandpa. Whew!! Why is it just so hard sometimes to find desirable presents for men/guys/baby boys? Honestly, I am not so good in doing that. It has always been a lot easier for me to look and buy presents for girls than for boys. It's the thought, I think, that I don't want to buy something they'd end up not liking and I bought it just because I thought it'd look cute or good on them, that makes it harder for me to decide on which is which. And sometimes, it's when you see a lot of beautiful things and you couldn't pick the right one up. You're just left there standing, staring at everything that's surrounding you not even having a miniature clue on what you want to buy - because in the back of your head, if you can just afford, you'd buy them all in a heartbeat. I'm not sure what my husband ended up getting for him. I already gave up when the both of us could no longer think of what to buy for grandpa. All he said to me was, he'll still would go and look around for stuff and hopefully find something suitable for him. I don't know if he did find one, but I hope he did and it didn't take him time to do that. We just wanted to give something to the both of them [grandpa and grandma] that will always remind them of us and how much we truly and dearly love them. Something that is kind of rare to find. Well, rare that is if you don't actually go on purpose to that particular place that sells them or has them. I'm thinking of labeling those gifts with - From the Deserts with Love - as that's where D got them from, then our names just underneath it. We both know it's not how expensive the present is or how appealing it looks; it's the love, the thoughts that count the most.

D also surprised me when he - out of my knowledge - posted pictures they took in that place, on our Multiply site. He entitled the album - For My Wife - and wrote something, too. I couldn't help but adore him more while looking at the photos. How I wanted to give him hugs and kisses so badly right then and there!! If I were to do something at that very moment, I would stand next to him with great pride, so much pride while shouting at the same time to the rest of the world, "This is my husband. He is a great soldier and I am so proud of him!!"

(my husband)

(with his buddy, Danny)