Reminders

With everything going on lately around here, and with Michael only in uniform one weekend a month, it is almost easy to forget that I am a military wife. Even if my husband only serves one weekend a month, two weeks a year, I am still a military wife. I remember those lonely nights when I cried myself to sleep, and then pulled myself back together. Those Saturdays when I lived for Skype and seeing his handsome face. And the countdown, or 'Donut of Misery' as it was in my excel program. I watched those days slowly tick down, and then finally, my moment was there. I remember the feeling when those buses pulled in, and when the words 'Dismissed' were yelled. It was a feeling I can never describe. Another deployment is always in the background. Michael always says, it's not a question of if, but when.

I saw this on someone's blog today and had to post it:

This is for the young women that are waking up at 6am every morning with small precious children that they have been left alone to care for. This is for the pregnant military wife wondering if her husband will make it home in time to watch their miracle happen. This is for the childless military wife, living in a town or on a base alone where she is a complete stranger to her surroundings. This is for the women that feel like a 3rd leg when they go out with their friends and their husbands. This is for the military wife that cancelled all her plans to wait by the phone, and even though the phone broke up and cut off every time you spoke to him you waited anyway.

This is a pledge to the women that cry themselves to sleep in an empty bed. This is to recognize the woman that felt like she was dying inside when he said he had to go, but smiled for him anyway. This is for those of you that are faithfully in that long line at the post office once a month handling 2 large boxes and 2 small children like a pro. This is for all the lonely nights, all the one-person dinners, and all the wondering thoughts because you haven't heard from him in days.

A toast to you for falling apart, and putting yourselves back together. Because a pay check isn't enough, a body pillow in your bed is no consolation, and a web cam can never compare. This is for all you no matter how easy or hard this was for you. Our military men are brave, they are heroes, but so are we. So the next time someone tells you that they would never marry a military guy, don't bother explaining to them that you can't control who you fall in with. Just think of this and nod your head, know that you are the stronger woman. Hold your heads up high, hang that flag in your front yard, stick 100 magnets on your car, and then give yourself a pat on the back.

Be proud to be the woman that you are, be proud to be a MILITARY WIFE!