This is an ode to all of the great men and thier families that serve in our military.
I grew up in a small town. We did not see many join the armed forces. It seemed very remote and impersonal to me. I admittedly took it all for granted. I would hear about wars. Men who served our country. I even had a girlfriends husband serve a few tours. But it still didn't hit me much. It just bounced off me like a bouncy ball...leaving no mark.
Then I moved here to Alaska. There is a joint military base less than 5 minutes from my house. I would say about half or more of my ward is military families. I am utterly HUMBLED at the sacrifices these families bear. I am continually reminded at how fortunate I am that my husband comes home nightly. That he is in the country. That he is out of harms way. That I don't have to wait to hear from him maybe once a week/month. That I am not a single mom for 6 months or a year for the second or third time in my life. I have joked of feeling this way before...but it is nothing compared to the strength of the women I am surrounded by. They continue to carry-on with grace and power that I cannot even pretend to have.
I understand that it is their chosen career, but not all careers carry such a burden. I do understand that it was a choice, but still I am humbled at the full magnitude of the consequences of the choice. The built in sacrifices that are required with that choice. True there are perks, but as with all things, there is also the hardships. These are where my heart aches and reflects on these great women I am surrounded by daily.
My neighbor with 4 kids. Husband is an ER doctor. Third deployment of 6 months. Destination: Afghanistan. Has already been to Iraq and Suadi Arabia. Another friend, 4th child due literally 1 month AFTER husband deploys for 6 month to a year. Another, husband has been gone since second child was 1 month old. Has been gone a year and counting. He is out of the combat zone and in a holding area but could remain there up to a month. Return Orders Status: Unknown. Others, expecting husbands to deploy next summer. And yet others expecting deployments late this summer. And others, packing up as they are now going to another location for 3 years until they are sent somewhere else. These women are AMAZINGLY strong! I feel honored to rub shoulders with them. I think they are the modern day pioneers. Pressing forward never ceasing. Holding their families together like bubble gum on your shoe. Attending everything solo without complaint.
Let's just say I have had a bit of an awakening to this lifestyle. My husbands father is a retired Air Force. They moved every 3 years. I can honestly admit, I had no idea what that was really like. But, now I can say I am learning and truly humbled at the grace and strength of the women behind these men that serve our country. I'm sure the men are amazing too, but I seem to associate better with their wives. You women are amazing. Thank you for the sacrifices that you make so your husbands can serve my country.
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