I am telling myself, "Don't get too excited or you'll JINX everything."
My military son is currently on deployment. He was transferred out here to the west coast within a 3 hour drive, for the first time since being in the military (8 years now). In these 8 years I've never had the opportunity to see in person, the Aircraft Carriers Homecoming. I've seen it on TV. I saw the one when my son returned from a long deployment after the 9-11 attacks. They deployed Sept. 15, to get positioned in the Mediteranean, before the Afghan war started. Watching that homecoming, on TV, from 3000 miles away was possibly one of the most emotional events I've witnessed. I have ALWAYS wanted to see in person, the manning of the rails, and the joy of families reuniting.
My DIL inviting me to go with her and my grandbaby to the pier for the USS Abraham Lincoln homecoming if there was anyway I could get away from DH to enjoy such a day. We haven't begun introducing caregivers/companions although we have signed on with senior services. I wondered about how long it might take to go from a few hours here and there, to an overnight (or two). DH is NOT going to cooperate (well, I mean he won't be happy about it) initially when I start introducing people he doesn't know.
A couple weeks ago I said in jest to DH's daughter (She is almost 26 and has been my step daughter for 20 years now), "I'd really love to go to the homecoming. I'm taking steps to plan the introduction of caregiver/companions for a few hours a month, but I don't know that Dad would tolerate a stranger here for a day or two. (jesting---) "Unless you want to come and watch Dad for a couple days." DH's DD, perhaps feeling a little guilty at not spending quality time actually said, "I really should check that out, because I need to spend some quality time with Dad." She has a newer job, been there less than a year.
YESTERDAY DEAR STEP DAUGHTER E-MAILED ME HER ITENERARY. SHE ACTUALLY MADE RESERVATIONS TO FLY HERE FOR 3 DAYS SO I CAN GO!!!!
Oh, by the way, you look so young (and beautiful) in your wedding picture. I was wondering how old you are??? I didn't take the time to look it up in the other discussion.
Tonight my husband said, those kids who were here when you were in Maine were asking me about that table (long story, but it is made of bullet-proof glass from the original movie Scarface). I said, those kids were your son and DIL. He obviously didn't believe me. The kids are in their 40s! Son knew about the table but obviously was trying to see if he remembered the details.
He mentions constantly how nice they were. And son is quite solicitous now.
Oh, how fun. And, what a blessing for your stepdaughter to do this. Actually, it is part of her responsibility--family and all, you know. But it's my understanding that many of them (adult children) don't realize it. One of my kids said to me "I'll help you when you can't do it any more, Mom. But, you're really a strong woman so I doubt if you'll need help anytime soon." Now, bear in mind, this is really a good guy but seems to be a little dense at times. I don't plan on waiting until I'm so tired I can't move--if you know what I mean.