Hugs for Daddy

Hugs for Daddy

My Daddy My daddy is my hero. He has a very special job. He goes to work every day in a uniform. He knows how to salute. My daddy is in the military. He keeps people in the world safe. Daddy and I do lots of fun things together. We can spend a whole day building towns out of blocks. We even play instruments together. Daddy plays the drums. and I play the cymbals. Mommy calls us her " rock stars. "

But what I look forward to every day are the stories Daddy tells me at bedtime. They always end with a great big hug good night. “ Good night, my little treasure, " Daddy will say. “ Good night, Daddy, " I say as I wrap my arms around him.

One morning, I came downstairs and saw Mommy and Daddy talking at the kitchen table. Daddy was holding Mommy's hand. Mommy saw me standing in the doorway. She smiled at me, but her smile was missing its sunshine.

" Good morning, my little treasure, " Daddy said. “ Hop up on my lap so Mommy and I can talk to you about something. " " Okay, Daddy, " I said, and I snuggled up next to his chest. “ You know that Daddy has a very important job, " Mommy said. I nodded. “ He helps keep people safe, " I said. " That's right, " Daddy said. “ I work every day to help keep people safe. Sometimes that means I need to help people who live far away from us. " He paused. “ When I do that, I have to leave you and Mommy for a while. "

I looked at Mommy and then at Daddy. “ Are you going away?" I asked. Daddy nodded, and I snuggled deeper into his chest. " Daddy, how long is a while?" " In order to really help, " he said, " I have to be gone for about a year. "