A Day in the life of ... Sgt. Major

It's a hard life!!

If it weren't for war ...

Welcome to my soap box ... I get so tired of hearing people say if it weren't for war things would be better. There'd be no famine, widows, etc. Don't get me wrong, I've seen first hand the true sacrifices made because of the commitment American Soldiers have made, but do you really think it's fair to further your cause using their name?

I look back over my life as a military spouse over the last five year ... no further, my life with my husband takes me back eight years, and I wonder if it weren't for war ...

Would I still have witnessed the true meaning of patriotism and pride in our country? Would I have felt the sadness of saying goodbye, outweighted only by the joy of saying welcome home? Would I have witnessed the strength of a community, learned that "Family" is more than blood relatives or shed tears at the tiny voice of a child explain with pride that her dad is not at home because he is helping people? Would I have learned how strong I can be when needed, felt the power of helping another without asking for validation or opened my heart to friends of all walks of life? Would I have said goodbye too many times, while welcoming the adventure that each new day brings?

I dare say, I would probably be living the same boring day over and over. Waking each day, dreading what was to come from a mundane job, same relentless chores, and never ending errands. I'd probably live next to the same people for 20 years and never know their name, drive the same route every day never seeing the beauty around me.

If it weren't for war, I'm never have married an American hero, be inspired by those around me or treasure the littlest moments such as making dinner with my husband or dancing on the porch in the moonlight. Maybe they're right, it sounds like such a horrible life!

Until our next cup of tea ...

Missing him causes physical pain and that's scary ...

It's amazing how you could love someone so much that it hurt, I mean actually feel physical pain in my head and in my heart. There are days that I don't wnat to get out of bed because I know he will not be on the sofa when I walk into the livingroom. I think that my puppy feels the same way. There are mornings where I have to kick him out of bed ... and I know how he feels! Sometimes I want to sleep until they call to say he's on his way home.

Not all days are so hard ... I have some great freinds this deployment and when I stopped by to see Tommy Gunn at his office Tuesday, a former co-worker commented on how happy I look. I know how lucky I am. I have a great job, my commander's really understand my goals for the Families and they give me so much freedom. I have some great friends. The bonds you create during a time like this are preiceless and even if they don't survive the distance of so many moves, they are still precious memories. Tiffany, Brittany, Sindia and Sabrina have showed me how to enjoy life despite missing my husband. My puppy makes me laugh and my FIL is only a call away.

The hard days make the good one all that much better. Everyday is one closer to George's homecoming, I just have to take it one day at a time.

Until our next cup of tea ...