Watch him pack his bags as he prepares for his Navy leave

Listen to him talk to people about going overseas

Wondering why the Navy has to take him far away

Hating them for forcing him when they know he wants to stay

Hoping, by some strange fate, he doesn’t have to go

Denying it will happen as the date begins getting close

Thinking about how you’ll miss him even when you argue sometimes

Knowing when he leaves you’ll have to try to keep from crying

Riding to the airport to hug and watch him go

Walking with him to the hanger, anxious for him to board

Hugging him and holding on, afraid to say goodbye

Trying to hold back tears but they fall, no matter how hard you try

Crying into his uniform, you feel him hug you tight

Shaking your head as he tells you it’ll be alright

Telling him you love him, that you’ll miss him every day

He tells you nothing will change, but you know it won’t be the same

Letting go to watch him walk to climb the stairs

Knowing the tears won’t help, but you don’t really care

Trying to be strong, you take a breath and smile

Waving towards the plane, holding up for just a little while

The plane has flown away, and the tears come back with force

Wiping your eyes as if it’ll help, your heart filled with remorse

Riding home without him, nobody says a word

Each one dwelling in their thoughts, feeling the worst has just occurred

That night you fall asleep with gentle tears your only comfort

Hoping that the time he’s gone will be quick and oh so short

Dreaming about the happy times, the family before he left

Mom, your sister, your brother, and everybody else

Mourning is unavoidable, but it gets easier with time

You wonder and you worry, but you know you’ll hear from him

Casting away your sadness, you act strong for every one else

And, over time, things get better, and you can smile to yourself

Six months gets closer to the date, and soon you’re on your way

The airport isn’t far now, it’s his arrival day

Communication had been scarce, but today it doesn’t matter

You stand with your family, waiting for the plane, your mind a thoughtless chatter

You watch them begin coming off the plane, watch the families embrace

Watch the smiles that appear and the happy tears that cascade

And here he comes, a walking relic, your daddy coming towards all of you,

A smile on his face, and a happiness shining through

Before you know it, you’re running, jumping up into his hold

And he hugs you back, just as tight, his happiness uncontrolled

And everything’s okay again, your daddy’s back from his endeavor

And all that matters is he’s back, and you get to drive him home together

You may have missed him while he was gone, but he missed all you too

And he’s just as happy as you were, when he came home to you