Thursday, July 10, 2008

If Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, Mine Is Bursting at the Seams!!!

Although I have already added a post for the day, I feel it's important to add this one, as it provides some insight into the heart and mind of a soldier who has left his loved one's back home.
Most of the time I am out here, I'm pretty focused on the work that needs to be done; but everyday has its moments of calmness, when it's easy to catch yourself thinking about all those that you have left back in the States. During these periods I constantly find myself thinking about my wife, Leslie. I wonder what she's doing at that very same moment, and how I would give almost anything to be right there by her side. Yes I know, thinking about things like that tend to just make things worse. However, one's wants and desires are bound to creep their way into each day's passing thoughts, thus making the absence of them even more difficult to bear.
My faith has seen me through many things, and I know this situation is no different. I am comforted by the promises of my Father in Heaven that he will guide and protect me and bring me safely back home; yet, trying to ignore the fact that I will be away from one of the most important things in my life is an almost impossible task and one that I wouldn't wish on anyone. This is not to say that I don't miss my parents, sisters, and other family members, as they will always have a special place in my heart. But, there is something about that one partner God gives you to spend the rest of your life with that not being around them makes you feel incomplete, like a painter without a brush, a movie without an ending, or for your sports junkies, a broadcaster without a microphone!
In short, I miss my wife terribly. I miss the small things, like the way she crinkles her nose when she laughs, or the way she likes to snuggle up next to me when she's cold at night, regardless of what I may be doing at the time. I miss her unwavering desire to "take care of me."
I'm sure that plenty of you will continue to pray for the both of us during this time of separation, but my prayer for all of you is that you take a just a little time out of your day today to show your loved one how much he or she means to you. It may just be in the form of a hug, a kiss, or a simple "I love you", but let that person know that their presence in your life is a blessing from God and nothing could ever take the place of them in your life...nothing.
Take care.

4 comments:

Claire said...

AW! How sweet of you! She is a wonderful woman and I'm glad I have her here with me, even though you're apart!

Leslie said...

I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a man that loves me like that! I love you and miss you just as much, Jesse! :)

Will Cross said...

WOW!!!! I want an autograph from you as soon as I see you. I thought they were just going to give you a pocket knife and a parachute. You are a stud! Whenever you feel scared just imagine me in a hula skirt and castanets dancing methodically in oblong rectangles. It works for Brittany all the time.

self_inflicted_confusion said...

Hey man, I thought it was about time that I checked in and said hello and thank you. Leslie is a special woman, that much is clear. Other than that, reading through all your posts I couldnt help but not envy you. Megan, the boys, and I will keep you both in our prayers, and I will stay in touch