I'm Fresh Out Of Body Parts

My arm was ripped off today. Or was it part of my heart? No, no, that's not it. Ryan left today. That's what it was. When they leave, it feels like a part of me just left. It was supposed to be easier because I was broken in with William. I guess it was a little. But this wasn't William. It was Ryan. Different body part. Not less or more important, just different. Once one part has been ripped off, and you learn how to function without it there, the next one still hurts, but you know that you're going to adjust. Still makes for an emotional day. There was another mom at the recruiters office delivering her son. I was walking toward the door and she reached out to hug me. We just hugged and cried. We never said a word to each other, but she knew me better than anyone at that moment. It was a nice morning. Sona and I made eggs, sausage, hash browns, country gravy, and orange rolls. We had stawberries and bananas, and Bonnie brought her juicer and made juice with oranges, apples, and carrots. Everyone was here on time and breakfast was ready and not burnt. Bill came and Nick was there, and Lissy and Lisa, and Nathan and Jayden, and Ryan. We ate breakfast, then sat around talking and laughing. Jerry called Ryan to say bye, then pointed out to me that Ryan will be back before Jerry will. Good point. Bonnie and Bill had to leave. The rest of us piled into cars and headed to the recruiters office. One of Ryan's friends showed up with his wife and son. Another came with his girlfriend. And of course Sheree. Then Joan, Dana, Dennis, Gabe, and Vinny came in. He had a lot of support there to see him off. I felt so much appreciation. I had a rough time because my Mom didn't call him and Jerry's family showed up to see him off. Judi called and texted her love to him. I'm not sure if it was so much feeling hurt about it, or just my emotions running away making it seem bigger. I take my Mom for who she is, but when it comes to my kids, it gets a little harder to do. Ryan probably didn't notice or even think about her calling. He doesn't even really know her. Ryan was really excited to go but you could see body parts being ripped from him when he had to say goodbye to Sheree and Jayden. Jayden said, "Daddy's crying and he said he wouldn't cry at the Marines."Four years seems like a long time, but it flies and we'll see him often. We've seen William five times already just since he left in June. As for the rest of my family, Jerry will be home in June and William will be home soon. Until then, I have no parts to spare.