If you have been here for awhile, you know we all care about your wife, you, your kids.

We're trying, bud.  We're trying our hardest to get your wife home.  We'll keep trying, and you keep hanging in there.  

we rarely get to hear. I haven't read any posts from dads who are caring for the family while his wife serves her tour of duty.

Your anger, compassion and indignation combine to make a very powerful message. You can even post 4 letter words here and we won't blink. Please keep the diaries coming.

to my wife. We're in tears.

Please keep us posted.

that might have been your inspiration. Keep writing keep writing

and i've been around a little longer than you.  it was a surprise at first to realize a man was the author of the diary.  but i think you have written something universal that a lot of people will identify with.  links to this diary are probably flying around the net even as we speak.

thanks for sharing this exceptionally powerful piece of personal reflection with us.

sleep.  I think that's how half of the diaries here are created--I know most of mine are.

You're torn up because you know the truth.  Isn't that a shitty situation?  I am praying, truly, for you and your amazing wife, and your children, and for my son, and for all of us.

Remember how not alone you are, and write.

Re the not sleeping. First, it's normal, and I'm sure you know that. Second, it's debilitating over time so any progress you can make with it will be good for you and the kids.

Practical idea one: calcium supplements. Get, and take daily. They somehow calm the body down just a tad. Natural stuff.

Two: ibuprofen, aspirin, whatever is your pain-drug of choice usually also calm emotions. Don't do this daily, but in the same way they'll take away a head-ache, they'll take the edge off a heart-ache. For times when you're really beside yourself. Again, do not not not do this daily.

Three: dunno if you're near some sort of health food store, co-op, whatever. There is a set of things called "Bach Flower Remedies", which sounds woo-woo and maybe it is. They work. I don't understand my car engine fully, nor do I understand wiring a house. I for danged sure can drive my car, and turn on the switch and have lights. I don't understand how these remedies work but they do. They're not toxic, they're way milder than most of the medicine tons of Americans are chomping all the time. There's one called "Rescue Remedy". Small bottle with dropper, you place drops under your tongue, they calm a sense of panic almost immediately.
(I was using them last week when I had to submit an application and was just beside myself with fear. Sounds dumb, but where I was at. Worked.)

Email me any time -- it's in the profile. You can even swear in emails to me, won't faze me a bit!