seeking MORE advice - of a different sort

[thebrad]

Situation:

My cousin who I am VERY close to lives at FT. Cannon with her Air Force husband - he's shipping to Kuwait on Sunday and she is coming back home for Christmas break (she's a student) for a few weeks. She's acting very strong at the idea of her husband shipping out - but as I said: we are very close and I see right though it!

I come from a very non-military family (dealing with them on the topic of me joining the Army is a whole 'nuther topic) - and have never been in this situation before... and am unsure how best I can 'be there' for my cousin. Any advice is greatly appreciated on this.

I am especially worried about her after she goes back for school and is away from all family except for her sister-in-law. What can I do for her over a distance? I would like to go down to visit her a couple of times but my work doesn't like to grant vacation time right now and it's a bit far for a weekend trip (would spend longer driving then when I was there).

This site is full of some great people with great ideas - and I really appreciate any advice you can send my way. And I ALSO am thankful for advice you've already given me on other topics.

THANK YOU!

BRAD

[janecallanan]

Hi Brad,
Does your cousin feel as close to you? If she does, I think you should just bring up the subject when you are in private. Tell her exactly the same things you said here. If it is more than she can handle "spilling" at the time, let her know you are always open to her.
Can you keep in touch with her via computer? I know sometimes just silly notes make me know I am loved, that the person knows the situation, and that they are thinking of me.
Don't know if this helps any, but I can only tell you what works for me.
Good luck to you and to your cousin and husband. She is very fortunate to have the ability to be near you for the holidays.
janie

[thebrad]

Definitely mutual - we're just as close as most people are with their siblings - A good ol' rural Nebraska family!

I hope you mean her husband and not mine!

That's pretty much the course of action that I'll be following - no idea what else I can do. Doesn't seem like enough though. Thought maybe someone here might have some sort of experience of what someone has done for them.

Thanks Jane - you're a helluva woman!

[DMZ-LT]

Mail call - you could feel people hoping they got a letter - I know I was. My family told me they waited on the mail from me to. COMMUNICATION. Lots of ways to stay in touch nowadays. Proud of you for doing this.

[janecallanan]

Yeah, I meant her husband. I don't remember reading anything you wrote that would make me think otherwise.
Probably doesn't seem like enough because of how much you love her. Unfortunately, there are some pains nobody can take all the way away, just help you through them.

[thebrad]

Thanks guys - I suppose that this is nothing I didn't know. It's just tough knowing how frustrated some people you really care about are, and that you really can't do much to help them out.

[janecallanan]

Shows what a good soul you have Brad.

[thebrad]

It's easy to come off that way in type. As to if it's true... I don't know - won't until St. Peter tells me how it is!

Thank You Jane.

[reeb]

Brad,

If she dont have a comp, but her one ( a used one works just as good).

That way it is alot easieer and faster to communicate with her and every day, let alone the fact her lover can send e-mail also.

Just a thought man.

enough..............

[thebrad]

that is a good idea - but they just bought a new desktop for her studies since he's taking the laptop (for video games of course) - guess I'll save my cash for a rainy day.