I'm reading this for the second time and I just thought this was really fitting for all the military SO's. Sorry for the length but the whole thing is just SOOO good.

"It's hard being left behind. I wait for Henry, not knowing where he is, wondering if he's okay. It’s hard to be the one who stays.

I keep myself busy. Time goes faster that way.

I go to sleep alone, and wake up alone. I take walks. I work until I'm tired. I watch the wind play with the trash that's been under the snow all winter. Everything seems simple until you think about it. Why is love intensified by absence?

Long ago, men went to sea, and women waited for them, standing on the edge of the water, scanning the horizon for the tiny ship. Now I wait for Henry. He vanishes unwillingly, without warning. I wait for him. Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments lined up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?"

I like that. It is fitting :yes.

Thx :D

I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. The language is like poetry. The story is amazing, but the rhythm in the words is so soothing. We have a cousin who is stationed in Iraq, and his new wife is stationed there as well, but they never see each other. I want to send her a copy of this book - I am too selfish to give my copy away because I plan on rereading it over and over, especially when dh is on deployment.