this photo is a self portrait that was taken a couple months ago, for a deployment article in military spouse magazine. and no i'm not there yet, but soon...this october i will probably be sitting in this same position, as that is when steve will leave for six months in iraq. it's funny how normally, in january, october would seem so far away. but you get the word your husband is deploying, and all of a sudden 10 months doesn't seem very far away at all.
military wives prayer
at night when i crawl into bed,
my lonely pillow 'neath my head,
i close my eyes and say a prayer.
God keep him safe way over there,
and make me strong so i won't cry.
it's kinda hard to be alone and
teach the kids when they're half grown,
without the strength of a father's hand
to guide them in this troubled land.
so i'll need a little help from you,
to let me know what i should do.
and God please will you let him know,
how much we love and miss him so.
and then i feel across the bed,
to where he used to lay his head,
and i close my eyes so very tight,
so i won't cry again tonight,
and whisper to the evening air,
good night my darling way over there.
[author unknown]
people often ask me,
how do you do it?
aren't you scared?
i don't know how you live that life.
well, i do it and i live this life b/c i, like all other military wives, made a commitment to my husband that i would be strong and take care of the kids and things while he is gone. and that is what i will do. yes, things will be tough at times but it's part of our military family and we will be fine. and sure i'm a bit scared when he deploys but steve is well trained and prepared. now and forever--i will stand strong, as i know that he will worry just as much about us as we will worry about him.
strength does not come from physical capacity.
it comes from an indomitable will.
[mahatma gandhi]
Both images here are really amazing.. and for different reasons.. Please thank your husband for myself and my family as well as all the other brave military families who go and fight for our freedom across the world. I am so thankful for men and woman like yourselves.. who keep us all safe both on foreign soil and here at home. God Bless you all.
E.
Your post brought me to tears. I am so grateful to the men/women and their families who help keep me and my family safe. My prayers will be with you and your husband during this time. Thank YOU for being so strong. Beautiful images.
interesting...i just came across the gandhi quote myself recently and I was thinking about my strength and my will and how i can use them to benefit my family and my home.
will is key.
i admire your strength and will.
hugs deb xo
The image with the girl and the flag: amazing! So beautiful and says so much in a metaphorical sort of way.
I just wanted to thank you for your open heart and sacrifice during this time.
God Bless.