Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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Kerry Barrett ReportingUtah's 388th fighter wing is in Iraq. Senior Master Sergeant Joe Gerling has been deployed for two months; he has two months to go.
Laughter is not only the best medicine, it's also the best release, a sanity saver for a working mom who suddenly finds herself in charge of everything -- taking care of business, taking care of homework, taking care of kisses, too.
Her husband Joe has been in Iraq for two months and there are two more to go. It is their 13th desert deployment since they've been married.
Anne Gerling, Husband Deployed: "We're just so used to it that we kind of dove right in and really haven't had any wrinkles."
By wrinkles she means major mishaps. They have had to put their dog to sleep since Joe left, they all came down with some sort of flu bug, and her work hours will be stepping up with new training. Anne handles it all with unflappable calmness.
She vents to friends and family, and although the kids try to push her buttons, she sets definite limits. Bedtime stays the same, giving her time to unwind. But she does have a few other tricks up her sleeve.
Anne Gerling: "Bribery works! (laughs). If you're good, we'll go to the movies!"
Make no mistake, trips don't take Dad's place, they're all missing him. When you begin to talk about him, Daniel settles down and puts it in the simplest of terms.
Anne Gerling: "Please come home."
