I’m about a year or two behind the times, but I do love the “Keep calm and…” signs. Please do forgive me; I need all the reminders I can get.
As I hinted before, Big Sarge’s assignment here in Alaska is being curtailed eight months earlier than expected, and we are leaving for Kentucky in six months. Six months! Such a short time left here.
On this week’s empowering episode of Army Wife Talk Radio, we’re chatting with guest, Dianne Morris Jones, about her mindful living and her book Stop, Breathe, Believe.
I remember one time, sitting outside, having my weekly wine with my neighbor, when we started a discussion about her new-found “job” as a battalion commander’s spouse. She was sharing how she felt blessed that she had such great friends and neighbors (battle buddies) because she is feeling a bit “lost in the sauce” when it comes to meeting all of the expectations and answering all of the questions that have come along with her role in her husband’s new position.
On our journey of military life we tend to only think of our friends as our battle buddies. Truth is, there are many types of battle buddies. From your friends, neighbors, spouse, even unit members, all the way down to your pets. One battle buddy pairing that is often left unrecognized is the one of you and your child. You are your child’s biggest cheerleader, their rock, and their example. How you handle this military life and the energy you put into their success on the journey is imperative to their well-being.
Things have changed a bit since I was a little girl.
I listened to cassette tapes in a Walkman. My Little Ponies were my favorite toy. I rocked the side ponytail, birdnest bangs, and Scrunchies like nobody’s business.
Yes, I was a child of the ’80s.
In every single one of my husband’s professional Army pictures, he looks so…
…angry. (You thought I was going to say handsome, didn’t you? He does look handsome, but in a grouchy kind of way.)
All right, friends… Time for a little bit of audience interaction.
How would you complete the following phrase?
When the going gets tough:
A.) I get stressed/frustrated/annoyed
B.) I dive into the biggest bag of chocolate available
C.) I hide in the nearest closet (with or without aforementioned bag of chocolate)
D.) I keep going
Most of us have seen the description of military children being compared to dandelions. Each time I read that, I get a little teary eyed. Not because of what it says, but because it’s the choice we made for them.
I’m an introvert by nature and was a very shy kid. The moves of military life forced me to learn how to connect and make friends. Believe me, I really had to learn how to do that—it didn’t come naturally.
I read books to learn. Books are my go-to answer for everything. I interviewed many military spouses to share what worked for them. When we ask any military spouse who has been through a deployment or other challenge of military life, “What helped you get through that time?” we always hear, “My friends, my battle buddies.” Spouses who have the hardest time with military life are those isolated by circumstances or who choose to isolate themselves. Research shows isolation can lead to depression. Plus it’s a dream-killer.
Mission: Milspouse is a
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hello@missionmilspouse.org
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El Paso, TX 79904