Deployment Arises Again??

Here we go again!

Mr. MP called Friday and in a "by the way" kind of conversational insert, he brings up deployment. Phone calls with Mr. MP are a test of my strength and ability to separate myself from what I need to say to support him and what I am really feeling. And the tests keep coming, one right after the other!

Mr. MP: "Did I tell you I was almost got deployed?"
Me: What? Get calm - keep a straight face...um...voice! "Why no you didn't." Smile - talk with a smile!

Mr. MP: "One platoon is ceremonial and the other is SRT, so our somebody important was asked if we could attach to XYZ Company and prepare to deploy to Iraq immediately."
Me: Keep it light and breezy! Smile! "Really? What happened?" Breathe! Keep breathing!

Mr. MP: "Our somebody important said he wasn't letting any of us in the platoon go."
Me: "Thank God!" Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Mr. MP: "Thank God...NO!!!!"
Me: "Whatttt?" I don't understand. I really don't.

Mr. MP: "I really wanted to go!"
Me: "Darn him! That's not right! Darn him!!!!!" C'mon, you can fake disappointment and frustration!

Mr. MP: "I know!!!"
Me: "That's BS! I'm sorry you can't deploy." Thank you God - again!

Mr. MP: "You really don't mean that, do you mom?"
Me: "Well...sort of...let's just say I'm smiling while I say it" as I chuckle. Whew! That was a close call!
Me: "I'm sorry you're disappointed son." I really mean that. I'm happy for me - but I am sorry he's disappointed.

Trust me, I'm preparing myself for this. This is the second time a potential deployment situation has arisen for Mr. MP and Mrs. MP is still awaiting probable deployment later this year. Why anyone would actually want to deploy is beyond me. What I do know is this...it will probably happen, because it's what Mr. MP wants! And these little "almosts" are preparing me for the reality my son lives in. When and if it happens, I will be ready to emotionally support both he and his wife and their military choices. But for now - THANK YOU GOD!