Almost every day, for the last three weeks, I’ve started my morning with a special brew. I walk down to the cozy café (that is, the breakfast lounge of the installation hotel—PCS, anyone?), and pour the nearly fresh coffee into its signature Styrofoam cup. I’m a decaf person, but depending on the night from which I have just awoken, I may mix myself a half-caffeinated cup of coffee, or a few times now, full-on regular.
So yeah, it’s been a little rough.
I wish there was more I could do right now. My husband wishes he could have done more in the past. I wonder if we could have made a bigger difference. I hurt because we’re stuck and feeling helpless.
Afghanistan. We wish, wonder, and hurt for Afghanistan.
My husband willingly answered the call and completed two, 12-month tours in the Middle East many years ago. We were still only dating and had no children. My soldier’s sacrifice was great, and as with every tour overseas, he had its burdens to carry. However, it didn’t anguish our family in the way it has for many others, because my husband didn’t have all of us quite yet.
Beach days! Oh, how my kids love going to the beach, but oh, how much work it is for us as parents. If you’re like us, we usually make a full day of it in order to make the mission worth it. This means not only packing the obvious sunscreen and towels, but the wagon to help transport those items, along with swimmies, life jackets, beach toys, water bottles, snacks, and more. When the kids aren’t yet walking, I’ve brought the infant car seat or a Bumbo seat, too. Once we were stationed in the Miami area, we also invested in a small beach tent and a couple folding beach chairs.
I recently hit a big milestone. The United States Army has now owned a piece of my heart for 10 years, a whole decade—and I never even signed the papers to join. Well, actually, I did sign a paper. I signed my wedding certificate.
My husband and I just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. We commemorated it with a small but delicious meal he cooked us at 9 p.m. when he was back from one of many days of training exercises. And, I offered him some new treats I attempted to create, where my skill level was that of our children.
My husband gave me a profound reminder today: “No duty station is ever as good or as bad as everyone says it is.”
Think about that a moment. Part of this statement may be disappointing and seem negative, but hopefully some of it encourages and offers hope.
Years back, when the movie We Were Soldiers came to theaters, I went to see it. It was tough to get through, as I closed my eyes in shock during one scene or teared up over another. But, I really resonated most with the character Julia (Julie) Moore.
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