Mork Returns to Ork. . .for a little while

The last two weeks have been full of joyful celebration, because our Mork returned briefly to his "home planet" for his mid-tour leave.  (As a child of the 70s/80s, I can't help but use this reference to one of my favorite "retro TV" shows!) Sweetie and I happily escorted Mindy and Peanut to the airport to pick up their hubby/daddy for some much needed R & R for all of them.  No more desert for Mork, for two weeks; Mindy was once again able to share family responsibilities with her beloved, for two weeks; and Peanut was reacquainted with the daddy-man who can make her eyes light up in an instant with just a smile, for two glorious weeks!  We all enjoyed every minute with him, and we even had cake. . .

But, as we all knew that it would, the leave ended last weekend, and we all packed up to return to that same airport, where we hurried through security, and down to the gate. . .

. . .where we spent an hour or so waiting for the plane to arrive. . .

. . .where we laughed and played with Daddy before he left Ork for the rest of his tour, remembering all the fun we've had while he was home for this happy blur of respite from a year-long deployment. . .

. . .peek-a-boo-ing, and reflecting on all that is important to a family. . .

Before he got on the plane, we hugged and we prayed. . .

. . .and we bid him farewell through our tears.  Be safe.  We love you.

On the positive side, it's just another few months until Mork will return to Ork for good (or at least until Uncle Sam needs him somewhere else).  So now we pray and we hug each other, and we thank God for Skype and Facebook, and the world-wide-web.  It's certainly not the same as being there in person, but it's a heck-of-a-lot better than it was for soldiers and sailors in the days before the Internet. 

While I wait, I knit. . .hats for eggs, secret things for babies, toys for toddlers, socks for stress relief. . .I hope that you are finding time for your knitting (or whatever helps you to relieve stress), because we all have troubles from time to time.

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!