This year I am in Okinawa, Japan again. It makes me sad though as much as I love it here. Our families seem so far away in the States. But being with my husband makes all the difference. He could be here by himself and that would be even worse. We are a very close family. This will be the third Christmas we've spent away form our daughter. She and her husband are in the States. But my son-in-law will be spending this Christmas in Korea, and alone. He is in the Army and we are very sad for them. They have only been married a little over two years. She will be in North Carolina with friends and extended family. But it will not be the same. When you are in the military this happens a lot. It's a hard thing not to be with family. Whenever possible we have as many single or unaccompanied people over for dinner usually on Christmas Eve. I grew up in the military and can remember the house full of guys, usually very young and very lonely. Some were away from their families for the first time. When you can't get in your car and drive home for the holidays it's nice to know you have a place to go and feel like you belong. That's what we've always tried to do, and love having them in our home to share some holiday cheer. They tell me over and over how much they appreciate being with us, but my joy comes from knowing they are not alone.