Three years later ...

Tom is stationed in the Middle East.  His wife, Jeannie, is expecting their first child.  She had expected him to somehow manage to get home when she was about to deliver ...but, he had to somehow explain to her that as much as he wanted to, he was unable to.

Tom was not able to tell his wife that not only was he overseas defending his country ...he was involved in a special undercover operation that was vital to national security.  He would have liked to be able to tell her when he'd be coming home ...but, he didn't really know.

Jeannie tried to understand ...and actually, it was easier to understand because she didn't understand.   She didn't understand that others were able to make arrangements to get home under similar situations, so she just accepted the fact that he said he couldn't get home.  

But, also the fact was ...he was not in a similar situation.  His country relied much more upon him ...and he was vital to their success in thwarting those who were becoming a threat to our country.

                                         ******************************

Tom's time at home had been minimal.  Jeannie appreciated those quality moments.  He hadn't been able to see their child until he was a year old.  She wondered if Robbie understood the meaning of her repeated reference to "Daddy" ...but, she did know the loving moments the three of them shared together seemed to bring an extra smile to Robbie's face. She knew she smiled more during those times.

Tom's times away seemed to drag on for longer intervals.  But, he had always been very loyal with letter writing.  His letters were usually short, but without doubt how much he loved them. He didn't mention anything about what he was doing, but he always made it very clear how much he loved them.

This time marked their tenth wedding anniversary. Tom wouldn't be able to make it home at this time either, but he had not forgotten their anniversary.  He sent her a tin can ...which followed the traditional 'tin' protocol, but within the can was a beautiful pearl necklace.  The note said that he had dived for the pearls himself.  She knew that was a joke ...but, she knew he would have if that's what it took to get her the necklace.

What was really special, was the other gift.  It was for Robbie. He was old enough now to understand that his Dad was defending his country.  But, though he was always told his Dad loved him ...this gift sent from overseas really made the difference in convincing him how much his Dad cared ...and loved him.