I'm glad that's over

Wow.. That was probably the most painful thing I've gone through in a lot of years. Poor Heather. Poor Maisy. Maisy took it the worst. We were all quiet and sharing nervous laughter in the truck on the way to the airport. We all knew it was inevitable at some time. Well, checking in the baggage took about 15 minutes, and then it was off to the metal detector part of our voyage. Here we were. First person to say goodbye (or rather NOT want to say goodbye) was Maisy. She was already crying. That was it. It was over after that. Heather was losing it. Mason looked like he didn't know what to do, Hayden kept his sunglasses on, and I was slowly losing it myself. Poor Maisy. It was one of the hardest kisses to ever give or receive. I told her "I've got it on this end and not to worry." (She's been nesting for the past 7 days getting ready, making sure nothing was NOT done.) She said "I know, and I love you." That was about the gist of it all. I won't go into details. Those are ours to keep (Myself, Hayden, Maisy and Mason.) It was a long walk to the truck. Longest 400 feet I've ever walked in my entire life. As a matter of fact, it's 188 steps from the counter to the truck. We all said nothing except sniffle and wipe our eyes, all the way to the truck. In fact, it may have very well been the quietest we've ever all been before.

Maisy said the cutest thing on the way home. We stopped by BK and got some happy meals (the irony in that word is staggering at that moment) and on our way out of the drive thru, Maisy says, "Dad, every time I try to say Mom's name in my head or my mouth I start CRYING!!" Man, I'll tell you what, kids are amazing. I know that kids are the biggest liars at times, but sometimes the way they put the truth that is in their little hearts is enough to topple the biggest man, I don't care who you are.

"Well, you know what, every time I try and say her name, I get a bit emotional too" I told her. Well, like I said, I'm glad that's over. I don't want to do that again for a long time. I'm not sure how families do that over and over again. Especially like some of my neighbors on my street who are sometimes usually home for only 5 months before having to do it all over again. That's devastating. We're all bound to go through this again, I just hope it's not for atleast another year or so after she gets back.

Alright, more to come.

MB