I have two things to share with you today. The first is a story from The Washington Post last week about a war widow who has used running to cope with the loss of her husband, and to make sure that others remember service members like him. It is lovely, and anyone who has used running to cope with anything will identify with it (regular readers know I got into distance running solely to escape the anxiety and loneliness of deployment). It is also important, because, as writer Greg Jaffe says, “Now the war that claimed (her husband’s) life is increasingly an afterthought, (she) is one of thousands of widows from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq trying to get on with their lives.”
The second thing I want to share with you: It is with great joy, gratitude and relief that I tell you that Steve is due home today after three months of being deployed on a boat in the Middle East. I’m sorry I’m just telling you now that he was gone. There are a multitude of reasons I didn’t want to share that information here, from the practical (i.e, Not wanting this blog to serve as notice that there’s a little lady living alone whose home is ripe for the robbing) to the selfish (i.e, I wanted this blog to serve as one place where I simply didn’t have to talk about it, which isn’t the case at most social gatherings). At three months, this was Steve’s shortest deployment. But thanks to the unfortunate timing, it was the hardest one for me to cope with.
A homecoming from a previous deployment.
Steve is home a little earlier than expected, but for a sad reason—we’ll be leaving for Colorado almost immediately to deal with a family emergency. I’ll probably be posting sporadically during that time. In the meantime, please send us your warmest and healingest thoughts.
Amy Reinink 
Oh Amy, what a year you have had. I am so sorry. But I am glad you will have your sweetheart home. I am as ever amazed by wives who live through deployment.
Your ability to cope with Steve’s deployments (and other life challenges) by focusing on healthy habits like running and swimming is amazing! Even though its earlier than expected, I’m glad that he is home safe. I’m sending my warmest thoughts your way as you both head to Colorado!
PS – I absolutely love that picture. It melts my heart everytime I see it! XOXO
i can’t imagine how hard deployment is on not only our soldiers but their families! glad you will have him back but sorry to hear the circumstances. hope things go well in CO.
You are in my thoughts – it sounds like some very trying times are ahead but you will make it through.
Oh, man. I’m sorry for the bittersweet reunion. Thinking of your family.
Oh Amy – my heart breaks for you. What a tough year you have both had. Much love to you and Steve, and I’m glad he’s back home with you.
While I’m glad to hear that Steve is home, I’m so sorry to hear about the circumstances of his return. I will be thinking of you and your family.
Thinking of you both. You are one strong woman, Amy.