When We are Oceans Apart *Guest Blogger* - Deployment Stories

This is the first in what I hope will be many stories in The Deployment Series on Hanging Off The Wire. If you would like to be a guest blogger on military issues, deployment, military families, etc., let me know! callansparents@yahoo.com

I wonder how one will take this. I missed my husband. He's been away for almost two months already. The number of days he has called was like 25% of the number of days since he left for work. I can't blame him. It's not everyday that there is a network coverage in their location. They may even be in the middle of the ocean aboard their ship that will take several months to reach their post of destination.

This is the life of a wife whose husband is a seafarer. Most of the time, you have to wait for their calls to hear their voice. And I can say that the word seldom best describes it. With that simple call, at least a bit of your longing will be eased. At first you'll be contented with text messages. But later on, it will never be enough. It really is different with over the phone conversation where you can feel the emotion behind the words.

I wonder how it would feel if I'm already a mom with a little kid with me. Most of my friends who are in the same situation would tell me that you wanted them to be home especially when the children are not in good condition. Emotionally, you can be weak without them beside you. Life is never easy with them being far and that you can't reach out to them anytime you want it.

So how do we manage our relationships despite the distance? Like I said, good thing that mobile phones are now accessible for both of us. I send him messages everyday, telling him how well I am, what I feel and what's happening around me. If he's got the chance to be near an island and there is an available cellular signal, he'll text me back. But it's not as frequent as I do. Every message sent would cost that much. If he's got a chance for a prepaid calling card, then that's the time to call. But there's still a limit in the calling minutes.

Communication is an important factor in every relationship. It doesn't matter how long you talk. It may not even be frequent. As long as, when you talk, you really talk. Be it as serious as talking about your plans or just saying some simple and sweet things to the one you love.

Add to it the Love, Trust and Respect factors that whenever one is missing, it won't be that easy to bring back what was lost. Even in the littlest thing that you can do, show your love. Your partner is usually exhausted from a day's work and all he needs is comfort from you. There's so much understanding and patience needed to deal with the situation. You'll just have to bear and deal with it. By the time he goes home for a vacation, just make every minute of it worth your wait and also his time to wait just to be with you and the family.

Febe is a freelance writer who does reviews and contents on telecommunication companies, services and products for international calls like Pingo prepaid calling cards.