We are now just over halfway through Matt’s deployment, which is a really amazing thing to be able to say.  Although I miss him terribly, I feel grateful to know we’ve made it this far and that each day does truly bring us closer to being together again.  Matt was able to come home recently to be with us after the death of his grandfather, and in those days with him I might have been the happiest I can remember ever being in my life.  Time apart has been good for the health of our relationship, for through this we’ve had the opportunity to realize just how much we value each other and the family we’ve created.  Now he’s back at sea and we’ve got months more to go till it’s done, but the time with him was so refreshing and fear-relieving for me that I’m hopeful I can ride through these months with more ease and faith than I did during the first half of deployment.  It sure isn’t easy, but I know we will make it and that all will be, and is, just fine.