Deployment

Watch him pack his bags as he prepares for his Navy leave
Listen to him talk to people about going overseas
Wondering why the Navy has to take him far away
Hating them for forcing him when they know he wants to stay
Hoping, by some strange fate, he doesn’t have to go
Denying it will happen as the date begins getting close
Thinking about how you’ll miss him even when you argue sometimes
Knowing when he leaves you’ll have to try to keep from crying
Riding to the airport to hug and watch him go
Walking with him to the hanger, anxious for him to board
Hugging him and holding on, afraid to say goodbye
Trying to hold back tears but they fall, no matter how hard you try
Crying into his uniform, you feel him hug you tight
Shaking your head as he tells you it’ll be alright
Telling him you love him, that you’ll miss him every day
He tells you nothing will change, but you know it won’t be the same
Letting go to watch him walk to climb the stairs
Knowing the tears won’t help, but you don’t really care
Trying to be strong, you take a breath and smile
Waving towards the plane, holding up for just a little while
The plane has flown away, and the tears come back with force
Wiping your eyes as if it’ll help, your heart filled with remorse
Riding home without him, nobody says a word
Each one dwelling in their thoughts, feeling the worst has just occurred
That night you fall asleep with gentle tears your only comfort
Hoping that the time he’s gone will be quick and oh so short
Dreaming about the happy times, the family before he left
Mom, your sister, your brother, and everybody else
Mourning is unavoidable, but it gets easier with time
You wonder and you worry, but you know you’ll hear from him
Casting away your sadness, you act strong for every one else
And, over time, things get better, and you can smile to yourself
Six months gets closer to the date, and soon you’re on your way
The airport isn’t far now, it’s his arrival day
Communication had been scarce, but today it doesn’t matter
You stand with your family, waiting for the plane, your mind a thoughtless chatter
You watch them begin coming off the plane, watch the families embrace
Watch the smiles that appear and the happy tears that cascade
And here he comes, a walking relic, your daddy coming towards all of you,
A smile on his face, and a happiness shining through
Before you know it, you’re running, jumping up into his hold
And he hugs you back, just as tight, his happiness uncontrolled
And everything’s okay again, your daddy’s back from his endeavor
And all that matters is he’s back, and you get to drive him home together
You may have missed him while he was gone, but he missed all you too
And he's just as happy as you were, when he came home to you