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My husband is one month away from completing his one-year tour of duty in Iraq. Below, is part of a letter I wrote him when he left.

When I stare up at the stars,
You're looking at the sun...
Our bodies are in different places
But our minds are in one

As you tire from the work of the day
Exhausted from the heat
You think of home and wish it was in your bed that you could sleep

On the contrary, I'm staring at the wall
Wishing I wasn't home at all
The hours pass and I cannot sleep
This isn't home when you are not with me

When I hear your voice you sound so close
I forget for a moment that you aren't here
But when the phone hangs up I can't stop the tears

So I thought of what I could possibly do,
To send a piece of home to you

I took this box and in it I placed
Symbols of our beautiful life, and also challenges we've faced

The boat and shell are to remind you of the last time we were apart
How time didn't erase the love we had from the start

We made it through then, and surely we will now
Its just a matter of remembering how

The pictures of us dancing are to remind you that you'll always have me
The rose petal is from the bouquet I held when I vowed to love you endlessly

The gold pin is a symbol of your great courage and duty
To remind you that what you are doing is worthy

The lock of Giz's hair and smiley candle from the birthday cake
Are to remind you of our happy memories, and more great ones that we'll make

The piece of sheet is from the bed we share
And I want it to remind you that you'll soon be here

I included something else that you won't be able to see,
A piece of my heart, to you, for eternity

Learn more about this author, Amy Lynne.
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