Happy Birthday Jon

Many of you know that this last week I was leisurely enjoying some wonderful grand kid time out in Tennessee.  I have to say that my trip was wonderful and although I spent a good 6 days there it went by so quickly that it was definitely not long enough.  700 miles is too far away for a grandma and her grand kids...

Yet today I would like to take this moment to wish a very Happy Birthday to my son in law Jon.  He is currently serving his country in Afghanistan and thus is away from his family. 

 

During my visit his absence was very evident in all of the days activities.  However I enjoyed the manner in which my daughter has tried to help the children to deal with this. 

On the kitchen table are two jars filled with Hershey hugs and kisses.  Around each jar hangs a sign which reads Hugs and Kisses from Daddy.  The idea is  any time (preferably once a day) when the kids fill a bit blue due to their dads absence they can go to the jar and grab a hug or kiss from him.  Not only does it make them feel better it also taste really good.  Hershey has come out with so many different flavors these days that the assortment is endless.  Each time their tiny hands go into the jar they pull out something different.  I loved this idea as well as the kids did.

Another idea was a small army doll with a place on the face to put a photo of the desired soldier who is gone.  Of course on their dollies is a picture of their daddy.  Each evening before they go to bed they kiss their daddy doll goodnight and snuggle up with him. 

I can only imagine the thoughts that race through their little minds these days knowing that their father is in Afghanistan.  My granddaughter had spoken at times in regards to his adventures.  She does not know exactly what he is doing yet some of the stories she relays to me that are told to her from her classmates makes me want to cry. 

When we were young we did not have the instant access to all the going ons of the war.  Life was still simplistic and we had to wait for the censored report that was allowed on TV as well as the posted letter from our loved ones if and when we received them.  Today a simple click of the button can get you info instantly via the Internet as well as an email posted letter. 

Today Jon celebrates his birthday, away from home and his family.  I am sure that they are thinking of him and possibly even spoken with him today.  Still I hope that his day was a good one.  That at least for a brief moment he was able to escape into a minute of time where he was with them if not in person at least in spirit. 

Happy Birthday Jon!  You serve our country proud as well as my daughter and my grand kids... Take care and be safe.