Taking a break from the sturdy wind, I step into the house for a sit’n’sip. The weather is almost a reminder of the harsh prairie I grew up on, minus the ten foot of snow. Outdoors, I took on the role as pioneer “winterizing” the yard and the patio. Carefully, restacking the jumbled woodpile, watching for a snake. Stepping on a bungee cord, I almost have a stroke! Even though I knew what it was, I was hesitant to pick it up and attach it around the tarp. But I man’d up and got’er done!
It doesn’t seem like that long ago I put the yard in order for warmer weather, and now I am putting it all away and covering it up. And I’m proud I can do it all by myself. I’m married to a military man/Marine/Soldier/Airmen who once was full time, now part time and his day job he serves as a city Police Detective, who moonlights as a college student. Yep, that’s my man!! He was created for all of this, and does it all well. I in return take care of everything else.
In war time past, the women were left behind as their men went off to war. Some were brides for a day, before their husband left for several years. I have had the great pleasure to sit in the company of such women and listen to their heartfelt stories. Listening to them talk of their selfless sacrifice left me feeling somewhat inadequate. My experience with four 9 month deployments and all the trainings seemed minimal compared to their 2-4 years. They graciously assured me that ALL military wives are cut from the same cloth of women, who keep the home fires burning.
As I sip the last drop of coffee from my cup, taking a moment more to reflect I re-cap the events of our military life. Each deployment brought challenges and special celebrations that I tended too alone. I had to “man-up” when our daughter was in a wreck, and set rules on dating her first boyfriend. Of course there were appliances that always broke down, water leaks, damaging storms, not to mention the lack of sleep over adjusting to sleeping alone, and hearing every little unknown sound in a dark house. Or the times I held our daddy’s girl, as she buried her face in my shirt trying to hold back burning tears, almost every time we saw men in uniform. Fighting feelings of guilt over celebrations missed, especially when our son turned 21 and we celebrated without his Dad. I just might of “man’d” up a little too much that night, whew! Skype and phone calls that never seem to come through clear, or would get cut off. But we are thankful for the technology. Communicating during the absence does lighten the load and make the time go by quicker.
I’ve never been, or will be, the perfect military wife. I do keep the home fires burning, and so far I haven’t burnt anything down. I fear each deployment will be his last, but Thank God so far he has returned home to me unharmed.
Military women have to “Man-up” when their men are gone, and for awhile when they return. We are not perfect but blessed, and blessed to serve them, while they serve our country!