militarymoms

You know, military moms give up a lot.  We give up being close to our extended family, which means we don’t have free babysitting from Grandma.  We give up careers because we move so often.  We give up homes and church communities and playgroups.  Most importantly, we give up Husband Time.  Lots of it.

But, to me, this life is so full of blessings.  I seldom think about all I’ve sacrificed over the years.  Instead, I think about all of the things I’ve gained over the last 23 years. 

First, I never take things for granted.  Not electricity, or a warm home, or drinkable water or being able to ask for help and be understood.  I’ve done without all those things, and I know their worth.

Second, I know more about the military than some of the journalists who cover it every day.  The real military, the one where sailors don’t get paid much and have to apply for food stamps, the one where families are left to navigate a medical system that seems designed to make everything totally impossible, the one where networking is the only way to survive.

Most importantly, I know about true friendships.  We made friends at our very first duty station who have become part of our family, and the list has grown from there.  We’ve been at weddings and First Communions and promotions together, and I can’t imagine life without these wonderful people.  Military friendships are the ones where you can borrow the pillows off someone’s bed, not to mention their car, their air mattresses and half of their pots and pans, and they trust you with all of these items.  Military friendships are the ones where you don’t talk to someone for ten years and then pick up right where you left off.  Military friendships endure over time and distance because they have to, because we all need people to connect with and care for and because we all know what it’s like to lie awake at night, wondering when the fellows in uniform, chaplain in tow, will ring our doorbells with news no one ever wants to hear.

It’s a good life, really, and all the friendships over the years sparkle in my memory, like raindrops in sunshine.  Give me time - I’ll definitely be in touch.

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