Sunday, November 11, 2012

Thank You!

Once again it is Veterans Day.  A day set aside to thank those who have fought for our great country!  Because of you, the rest of us can enjoy the freedom you worked so hard to protect.

These men and women have paid a high price for those things we take for granted.  The carry scars that are invisible.  They give up the freedoms the rest of us have to protect ours, then when they aren't the same person they were, society throws them away.

Do more than Thank a Veteran this year.  Pray for healing and lend a helping hand.

This wife of a veteran thanks you!  

Strangers


I hate airports. They are places of tears. My body shakes as I try to control them. Then I look at my children and I see their hearts breaking. My own tears fall….He sees my tears and his iron grip of control begins to slip. People turn away. They can’t stand to see our pain. They know where he is going. They know we are left behind. I stand at the window watching the plane pull away from the gate. Walk that lonely walk back to the car. The drive home seems longer than ever. The house does not feel like home.

My best friend, my husband, the father of children has left. I don’t know where he is going. Don’t want to know. More questions than answers. When will he come home? Will he come home? How do I survive? He is my life. He is everything. I am me because he is with me. No more watching or reading the news. Not even just to read the headlines. Routine. Step by step each day I learn to survive. Run, breakfast, cut grass, shower, lunch, clean, check email, walk the dog. Same thing every day moving in a daze. I am afraid to hope.

At the airport again. The seasons have changed. But then so have I. I stand at the arrival gate waiting for a stranger. He is my husband and the father of my children. My tears fall once again. I am nervous and afraid. Will he really come home this time. Will everything be the same? I hope so. There he is. I see him. He has cut his hair again, his skin is darker, his eyes are different. I expect his hug to feel the same but it doesn’t. He walks ahead of me much faster than I can keep up to get to the luggage pickup. I know I should understand why but I don’t and he can’t explain. We are strangers again.

a military wife


4 comments:

  1. Blessings and prayers go out to those who have served and are serving. Thank you to your husband and you and your family for making that sacrifice.

    The piece brought tears to my eyes because I realized how difficult each homecoming and leaving must be over the course of a career.


    Hugs

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  2. I cry every time I read that DR. Thanks to Dragon for his service. I'm so glad he's home with you for good. (((hugs)))

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  3. I have seen that letter before and it always breaks my heart that their sacrifices have cost them so much. Deepest thanks to Dragon for your service and to both of you and your family for your many sacrifices. Prayers for safety and healing for all of our military personnel (serving or retired) and families.

    Blessings,
    Cat

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  4. i don't celebrate this in my part of the world, but my thoughts and prayers go out to my friends on the other side of the world who honour this special day. *God bless!*

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