Day 140 Week 19

The day is beautiful, bright golden sunshine and there's such a bite of crisp cold in the air, and I can't settle to anything.

Heard via the virtual communications network that C is on his way home and cannot describe what it feels like. Utter elation combined with waves of spontaneous bawling tinged with disbelief that I may, actually, get to see my baby boy again. Gave him a St Christopher medal before he went out, and hope the patron saint of travellers keeps up the good work and carries him home safely.

Am off to St Albans and will light a candle and pray that we continue to be blessed with such kindness.

Britain won a gold medal at the winter Olympics, and the Dutch Government has resigned because an agreement on extending their presence in Afghanistan cannot be reached. Apparently there have been over twenty Dutch soldiers lost out there and am suddenly arrested by the thought that there must be clusters of families going through what we're going through in scattered countries all over the world.

The anticipation is excruciating. Am like a child on Christmas Eve who just wants everything immediately. Must keep busy.

H in exactly the same condition. R in exactly the same condition. And C a third of the way back six hours ago, whatever that means.

Poor fellow soldier's Mum really down and she told me it's harder during the second part than the first.

And I'm trying to ignore the little gremlin at the back of my mind who keeps reminding me he, too, will have to go back.

Thank you Lord and more of the same, please.

Speak soon. A soldier's Mum x