Life in a nutshell

As I sit here tonight and realize another month is almost gone, I've been thinking about the lives of deployed spouses.

We are told when the day will be so we put on our brave faces and broad shoulders each day. Then before you know it "that" time is coming sooner than you thought, you try not to cry so that everyone thinks you are strong. You learn the shower is the best place to let it out.

We get through the training, then they bring home all their gear and have to pack it and you still go with a strong face and no tears in front of anyone. You take so many pictures so that you have them to look at. You cherish each moment you have.

Before you know it "that" day or night is here. You go with your spouse all the while trying to hold your emotions in. You stay by their side the whole time, you hold them just a little closer and tighter. All of a sudden they make the announcement that it is time. At this point you can't hold it in any longer. You hug as tight as you can and try not to let go but you know in your gut you have to. We go outside and watch the buses pull away and then home you go by yourself or with your children.

Each day you get up of a morning by yourself, you drink your coffee alone, you eat alone and then night time comes and you go to bed alone. Anytime you hear a car door outside you immediately turn your head to the door to see if someone is out there. You learn what times to make sure you are online just in case they are able to get online. You make sure anytime you leave your house, you forward your messenger and home phone to your cell phone. If by chance you miss a phone call you curse yourself, yell and cry and swear it will never happen again. You also learn it is best not to watch the news because if you do it will make you hurt more. Once your home you make sure nothing is touched, shoes are left where your spouse left them, a piece of clothing that they had worn is not washed, a towel hanging over the shower curtain rod is not touched and even keep their cologne handy just so you can smell it, and Heaven help the person that touches any of those items.

You also learn how to make friends and how to say bye to those friends and to keep in touch with them no matter what part of the world you are moved to. You cherish those friendships forever how long you have them near you. You learn the best places to shop where you can stretch a dollar further than anyone can imagine.

Eventually you get some of the best news, it is almost over. As then end comes you make sure the house is cleaned top to bottom, groceries are stocked up on, all their favorites are bought and in the house and you wait.

If anyone were to ask me if I would change my life if I could, my answer would be NO. I am so proud of my husband each and everyday. No we do not like the separations, the hours but we know that our spouses are doing what makes them happy and if they are happy then we are. We have a different since of American Pride, we may cry at the National Anthem, at the site of buses on post, certain songs will bring most of us to uncontrollable tears but we continue on each and everyday because while we are not in a war zone, we are back at home dealing with the everyday tasks so that our spouses do not have to worry. There maybe times that we want to just throw our hands in the air and give up but we don't, we suck it up and go on.

We also learn that each day is a precious gift from God and that we should be so happy for it. Life is to short to be angry all the time and none of us should think that each and every moment you have with your loved ones should be taken for granted, instead each moment rather it be face to face, on the phone or on the computer you should be so thankful for that moment and cherish it with all your heart and soul.

Please keep our members of the military and their families in your thoughts and prayers.