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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Bright Side of Separation

I know, I didn't think there was such a thing either. A bright side to loneliness and separation and painfully missing someone? Heh. Yeah. I really did not know I could come to such a conclusion.

But I'm sitting here enjoying the fact that my husband's ringtone beat the alarm clock this morning (after only a couple hours of sleep) and I got to wake up to him telling me how adorable my morning voice is (that is a disputable fact--the adorableness of my morning voice, that is). And that was like THE perfect way for me to start my day. It's been weeks since I have been able to begin a morning with the sound of his voice.

Reveling in the way I got to wake up this morning (after only a couple hours of sleep--did I mention that?) I am realizing that there actually is a bright spot to this painful thing called loneliness.

It's called: You appreciate the smallest things
  • Just hearing his voice makes my day
  • Just listening to him tell me he loves me makes my heart skip a beat
  • A telephone call goes a long way
  • The only way to communicate our love is to verbalize it--something that a person doesn't think to do as much when they're together.
  • Simply put, I somehow appreciate my man a hundred times more than ever before (and I know... that's hard to imagine!)
Now that I'm beyond the point of counting days (it would be 2--in case you're wondering) and have turned to the hours (less than 57) I have this feeling growing in the pit of my stomach. It's that feeling I would get when we were dating and engaged right before we would get to be together. It's that feeling of wonder and anticipation. That "new love" feeling. It's so fresh you have so much yet to explore of it. Only now that we're married the whole ecstasy is increased. The wonder and anticipation of looking forward to where love will take you is heightened. Marriage has no boundaries between us. It's not sparks we get anymore. It's fireworks.

Don't get me wrong, I sure wouldn't mind those fireworks day in and day out without the separation. It's just that with these miserable periods of loneliness you notice them more.

Just think... 57 more hours.... (okay, so maybe that doesn't sound as cool to you as it does to me)

6 comments:

Jenna said...

So glad you are able to see some positives in being apart!

When I was little, I remember my mom had hand-painted a little ceramic figurine that looked a bit like a Precious Moments character. On the base it said, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." She painted it when my dad was doing a lot of traveling for work. When I first learned to read those words, I didn't really understand what they meant, but they have since become real to me.

Sometimes it takes separation to grow appreciation. The things we have available to us every day are often taken for granted. When the things (or persons) we love or need are taken away from us, we then value them so much more.

I believe (by God's grace) I will have a great appreciation for my husband when God provides, after having experienced the absence of married life for longer than I ever imagined. When growing up, my heart's desire had never been anything other than becoming a wife and mother. (I am now 28.)

Maybe this is the very reason we have separations? Maybe it is the hand of God working in our lives to mold us into beings who look to Him as the One who both gives and takes away... in times of blessing and joy and in times of trial and tribulation.

What a blessing it has been for you to experience the sparks and fireworks of romantic love! This doesn't need to be said, again, but I hope your time together with your beloved is richly blessed and helps carry you through future times of absence.

Thank you for continuing to avail your beautiful thoughts to random viewers like me. ;0)

Arlene said...

Oh, I know exactly what you mean :o) I think that is one "advantage" military wives have over the wives who have never left their husband's side... not that I'm excited about the separations, either, but I think you can understand what I'm trying to say.

I'm excited for you and your honey; I hope time will fly over the next two days!

HIS daughter said...

Oh I am so excited for you Brittney :) And that is so neat how the Lord is teaching you to appreciate the little things :) What a sweet way to wake up in the morning :)

Natasha said...

Wow! I simply cannot imagine being separated from my husband like that. Life would have a completely different focus...

Isn't it wonderful that God has given you the grace to appreciate the small things and to live in constant thankfulness during your times of separation?

That being said, I also hope that the time with your sweetheart is beautiful and precious. Blessings to you!! :)

Anonymous said...

All I can say Brittney, is make sure you lock the door, take the phone off the hook, and put the 'Do not disturb' sign on the front gate.... when your husband comes home.

You have 2 days to get ready. Enjoy the anticipation of this time.

I love your blog. So does my nearly 16 yo daughter. She checks it every day. I am so glad because you are an example of the absolute delicious blessings of God and doing things His way. She wants that for her young life, and I know you only help in inspiring her journey to a blessed life.

Yours is a beautiful fairytale, that happens to true, not fiction.

Anonymous said...

Such a sweet post! Your Andy is sure blessed to have a gal like you. And vice-versa. :D

57 hours sounds VERY cool to me. My sisters and I do the exact same thing whenever my brother's about to come home. We start at 72 though. LOL! ;)

Blessings! :)