Camella Richardson is going to take it in six-month intervals. That’s the only way she can handle the time away from her husband Bill Richardson, a master sergeant with Mississippi’s 155th Infantry National Guard.

&uot;I gear up mentally,&uot; she said. &uot;I think I can handle it. We’ll make it. We’ll make it fine.&uot;

Bill’s departure in less than 14 hours wasn’t a major topic of conversation at the Richardson house Saturday, but the way he treasured every moment showed it wasn’t far from his mind.

Amid phone calls from well-wishers and a visit from reporters, the Richardsons treated Saturday just like any other day.

Grandchildren made too much noise, son and son-in-law reclined and proud father doted over every move the baby of the family made.

It’s obvious Bill Richardson is going to miss his wife, his oldest daughter Juliet and his son Joseph, but the relationship he shares with daughter Gabrielle, 13, is something special.

&uot;She’s the biggest fool in the world for him, and he’s the biggest fool in the world for Gabrielle,&uot; Camella said.

That relationship is what makes Bill wish his call to duty had come just a week later.

On Wednesday Gabrielle and Camella will load up Gabrielle’s horse, Sunday, and travel nearly three hours to West Monroe, La., for the Southwest Regional 4H jumping competition. The right to compete is something Gabrielle and Sunday earned by winning several state titles.

Sunday, a $700 &uot;mutt&uot; pony, as Bill says, has been a father-daughter project for four years.

&uot;I had to sit on him for five hours to break him,&uot; Bill said. &uot;And I put Gabrielle on him after I had him trained and she was able to walk him. Now they are headed to the big leagues.&uot;

Despite 90-degree temperatures Saturday, the trio didn’t hesitate to show off their moves and get in one last practice together. Sunday’s easy hops over 30-plus inch jumps left Gabrielle and pony in the shade while Bill did the heavy lifting to prepare the next trick.

&uot;He’s my trainer,&uot; Gabrielle said of her father. &uot;We all learned it together.&uot;

The slightest mention of a trick from Dad was all it took for rider and pony to perform. Bill, who’s more like one of the kids than an adult, even agreed to run sprints with the pony after a little nudging from Gabrielle.

Inside, a little nudging from Dad was all it took to get Gabrielle on the piano seat to perform award-winning pieces. For Bill, who sat flanked on either side by Gabrielle’s trophies, the piano was the only sound in the room.

Last time Bill was called to active duty, Bosnia in 2001, Gabrielle was 11.

&uot;I especially hate it on Gabrielle’s account,&uot; Camella said. &uot;She’s made out of steel though. She’ll do better than I will.

&uot;He wants me to carry on just as if he were here.&uot;

The only signs of impending change in the Richardson house Saturday were military style packed bags and a fleeting comment from Bill.

&uot;There it is. 5:45 a.m. Goodbye house, goodbye wife, goodbye daughter, goodbye horse.&uot;

Early Sunday morning, Bill Richardson and other leadership in the 155th left Natchez for McComb. From McComb they went to Camp Shelby where they will be joined by the remaining 155th soldiers on Aug. 9. The unit probably won’t be deployed to the Middle East until early 2005.