It doesn’t matter what branch of service someone is in; if you mention “Murphy” to any military spouse, I guarantee they’ll cringe. There’s an unwritten rule that if a deployment or separation is coming or in effect, something bad will happen. Something will break, someone will get sick, something will go wrong. I remember hearing about the infamous “Murphy” before Ryan’s last deployment, and I laughed it off. Then he deployed, and within two days, we were in urgent care for a ruptured eardrum. We gave it six days, then Danny was hit by a car. A few months later, Porter was hospitalized…then Spencer. Our basement flooded, our fridge quit working. You name it, we experienced it.
I wasn’t alone in the struggles though. So many spouses I met and knew dealt with Murphy accosting them in their own unique ways. From illnesses to broken down cars, heaters quitting in the middle of winter to God knows what else…Murphy was there. My point, you ask? I think someone told Murphy that Ryan is deploying soon because we got our first blow this weekend. We spent a beautiful Saturday swimming and enjoying time with the boys. Spencer rocked it, and Porter is getting more and more comfortable, making us happy for these future fishies.
Saturday night though, Spencer was acting funny. He seemed off. He’s usually rambunctious and fun, but he was moody, irritable, and on edge. By bedtime, he was a mess. He had a fever that just wouldn’t go down with either Tylenol and Motrin, and after a bad night and a rough morning, we headed to urgent care (our first time in Washington though, so that’s a plus!) Verdict? Scarlet fever. Guys, I thought you could only get scarlet fever on Oregon Trail. Apparently I was wrong. With antibiotics, he’ll be just fine, so I’m glad we went, but dang.
On the one hand, I feel so much more prepared for this deployment. I know Murphy. Hell, we’re already flirting with Murphy and his sick games. On the other hand, the thought of doing it with two little boys, a new baby, a move to a new house, and more…it’s a little daunting, to say the least. Add in the fact that Ryan’s deployment date has been shifted up a few days, and we’re kind of overwhelmed.
I know it’s probably not the most fun to read less-than-happy posts. I always debate sharing them, but it’s therapeutic to me, too. This is the life we lead. It’s crazy, it’s chaotic, it’s fun, and it’s challenging. 99% of the time, I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. That 1% of the rest? That’s when Murphy’s rearing his ugly head. So, we’re buckling up now because I’m sure we’re in for a heck of a ride, regardless of how things go! All I can say is, bring it on 😉
