Well, today was the day. We left for Laramie at about 4:30 am. We could have stayed in a hotel in Laramie so we wouldn't have to get up so early, but Jayson wanted to spend his last night here in his own bed. The kids actually all woke up easily, and we headed out. When we got to Laramie we had a quick breakfast at McDonald's and went to the armory. There, they packed the big bus that would take them to Kansas. It was a strange feeling. I felt almost numb. We then drove to the bucking horse statue where pictures were taken of the team, as well as family pictures. After having had our pictures taken, we returned to the armory and sat in on a short ceremony, then the soldiers had about 10 minutes with their families before they loaded the bus to leave. That was hard. I looked at Jayson, and something inside my head told me that our lives were about to change forever. I didn't feel like I was crying, but I had to keep wiping away the tears. I guess the only way to describe it would be to say I felt overwhelmingly lonely. He wasn't even gone yet, but I felt so alone. Then we went outside, one last hug and kiss, he climbed the stairs onto the bus, and he was gone.
I hardly remember driving home. I must have been on auto pilot. I don't even remember the kids fighting in the back seat. I am sure we could not have made a two hour trip without any fighting. Impossible. But I don't recall any fighting. Now I am home, and as I look around our bedroom, I notice a few of his dirty t-shirts and a pair of socks on the floor. I wonder if I should leave them there, so it feels like he is still here with me.
He has already called to let me know they made it. Now it doesn't feel like he is that far away, which is nice. After I got off the phone, I took a deep breath, dried my tears, and threw in a load of laundry. Whites. Socks and t-shirts.
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