We are those who keep the homefires burning.
We leave our previous lives behind us, to join with someone who is often gone.
We support them, and encourage them to succeed in their chosen field of work.
We are always ready to pack up and move at a moment's notice. With no hesitation, we leave behind our homes, our friends, our jobs and follow.
We strive to be understanding and supportive. We listen wordlessly to the horrors that they have seen, and pray silently that they will not be hurt.
We try to comprehend the changes that we see in them each time that they return.
We accept them, and learn to love them all over again for who they are.
We take our children to lessons and sporting events alone, taking hundreds of
pictures to put in albums, so not as much of their childhood is missed.
We tuck them in at night and explain why only one parent is there to say goodnight'.
We reassure them constantly that even though they're absent,
their other parent loves them very, very much.
We go to bed alone at night, and cry for the partner that is sorely missed.
We wake up to a new day ready to go on and keep the

HOMEFIRES BURNING.