Near or far, it's how you frame it

I'm running around the house cleaning up because my husband is coming in tonight for a long weekend.  It's been like this since he was moved 2,000 miles closer to our house here in Southern California. We frame it in terms of closeness, as opposed to the typical perspective that others have measuring distance away. It's 1,000 miles away, but 2,000 miles closer than Fort Stewart, and 7,752 miles closer than Afghanistan.

Last year we didn't see much of him, between deployments and being posted across the country. In fact, the first time we saw him in 2011 was in August. In comparison, we've managed to see each other three times in the past 2 months, and we anticipate seeing more of each other over Spring break --much to the chagrin of our daughter. Traveling to El Paso isn't exactly an exciting trip to NYC or London. But it's part and parcel of being a military family living apart.

He's officially called a Geographical Bachelor. Only the military would have an official term. It means all of his leave is used coming home to take forays to Home Depot, rather than jetting to Paris for a walk on the Champs Elysee. But the time before Daughter graduates and leaves for college is short. Only two and half years. And our son is half-here, half moved out already. So whatever time we can grab, we do it now. After all, 2012 is the year he's CONUS. We anticipate he'll be gone the whole of 2013.

But even this trip will have a small interruption. On early Saturday morning, I fly to Boulder, Colorado for the premiere of my latest film project, High Ground. I can't wait to meet the producer, Don, and the director, Michael. I'll also meet the Veterans and everyone else connected with the film. As Idil said last year over breakfast, Tim used to tell her, "Strangers are just friends, yet to be made." We'll watch the film, chat, party, and then I fly home Sunday afternoon. I could stay longer, but really, I want to catch the last 24 hours of his visit.

Our story is not unusual, looking at the larger scope of things. Families have endured separations  for a variety of reasons. Mothers have single parented for centuries, as have fathers. But you never realize how little time you really have being a unit until everyone has grown older, and left the nest.

So these are precious days, ones to use wisely, and as a family.