Good Friends Make A Gloomy Day Sunny

Deployments generally brings a string of events that most likely would have never occurred had the spouse been around. It seems to be that way with all Army wives. Last deployment we had illness and more natural disasters take place than I thought was humanly possible all within the first 6 weeks of Elliot's departure. Who would have thought Texas could have a major snow storm on Easter, followed by a tornado that ripped through our neighborhood, followed by the craziest floods you can imagine? Must mean a deployment. I have been positive this go around and praying for the best, but life must take it's normal course. So we have had our new furry friend introduced to us since Elliot left. We have named him Chuckee after the Chukee Cheese mascot. Last night was the big hunt for Chuckee. I strategically placed pet/child proof traps all over the house. No luck. Just a very tired pregnant mother who was up all night hoping it was not in her room. After a long night last night I was hoping for a more relaxing morning. No such luck with a curious two year old boy. While I was in the shower our dear sweet little Aiden got the stool out of the bathroom and unlocked the 2 deadbolts on the front door and opened the door for Miley to go explore the neighborhood. He is just so thoughtful. He must have known Miley would love to be free and explore a world outside of our privacy fence. Double sigh. I am guessing Miley had been gone for a good 20 or 30 minutes before Aiden came into my room to announce, "The woof outside. The woof in front." Panic!!! Miley is Madelyn's dog. She would just be devastated and with Elliot just having left I can only imagine the heart break. Then thoughts of Aiden wandering the neighborhood came to mind. He could have very easily escaped too. Oh my goodness. Overwhelmed does not begin to describe. I call Beth crying to see if she could cover for me because I was going to be late to babysit. Just like the wonderful person she is she was there for me in a heartbeat. I rush out the door throw Aiden in the car and by this point I am hysterically crying. I was so thankful Aiden had not wandered away and was heartbroken about our lost dog. I am driving screaming the dogs name out the window with my curlers in my hair. Call the looney bin now! I came up on Tonisha who jumped right in and joined the search for Miley. As I came around the corner I see her truck sitting in my driveway with Miley in the front seat. She saved the day. She took time out her busy day to help me. Her husband leaves on Saturday and I am sure the very last thing she wanted to be doing is looking for our wandering dog. But she did. I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends I have. They are there for late night calls when a mouse has taken over my house to always being there to help regardless of what craziness they are experiencing. I hope I can follow all of their good examples and be the same kind of friend.