Take a walk in Baby Bryce's shoes....

          Well Baby Bryce's shoes, he's three and his daddy has been away now for three months. He was ok with the first couple of weeks and maybe even the first month. But after three months our funny strong willed child has become difficult. He asks for his Daddy daily. He is very concerned with Alec going away to camp; he has been away off and on throughout the summer. When I'm away at work he will ask “is my mommy coming home?” When I return he lets me know how much he misses me, and then proceeds to slap me for leaving. He's angry! He has a paddle with his name on it. His world as he knew it for the first three years has changed.

     Yesterday was a hard day for all of us. Bryce refused to go to sleep the night before then came to my room at 5:00 a.m. He wouldn't take a nap. I tried everything. He was whinny and miserable all day.  Alec had a softball game with Scouts, my plan was to wear Bryce out at the park then bring him home for bath and bed. I wasn't going to cook. 

     I told Bryce if he was good at dinner we would go to the park. I was hoping to eat outside at the Fish Company but it had just rained, we opted for a table inside. We were sat at a booth; Bryce and I sat on the side with no one sitting behind us. He was for the most part good; he hadn't screamed and was entertaining himself with the crackers. They make great train tracks. When our food had arrived a gentleman was sat behind us. As we were paying our bill, Bryce started rocking in his seat, I of course told him to stop and thought I was on top of the issue. He started again and the grumpy old man behind me yelled knock it out. I'm so mad I didn't knock him out. I have worked in the restaurant business my entire life. I would have sent Alec out with Bryce, before I let Bryce ruin his meal. Bryce stopped rocking and I started crying. I was so mad at this man. When we got to the car I asked Alec if I should go back in and tell this grumpy old man this little boys dad had been away for three months now and had many more to go. I understand lots and lots of kids have gone through deployment and Bryce will survive, but in his little mind his Daddy is gone. Perhaps knocking the man out may have not been the right solution maybe I should have asked for him to pray that I have patience with this little boy. Patience so that I don't continue to lose my cool and scream and yell.