Sunday, November 10, 2013

INVISABLE STRENGTH



The last tour he did before retirement was the  Desert Storm.  We thought since he was so close to retirement that the days of leaving for days, or months or a year on end was done.  We were wrong. The girls were older now and a little shell-shocked with the idea their Dad was leaving them, and even though I considered myself "use" to it, every new time brought scary feelings and I worried I wouldn't be strong enough in the months ahead.

A few days before the company was to leave we found out that he would be leaving before most of the other guys.  That made it harder.  There is strength in numbers and with fanfare but instead I found myself standing alone with our three daughters in the parking lot of Headquarters without the benefit of the town waving him off with flags, or my friends standing beside me. Later I had to go to Walmart to pick up some items, it just felt surreal to me cos I knew I looked like everyone else in the store, but our life had just changed and no one could look at us and tell any difference.  I knew if I would have worn a uniform then people would be patting me on the back or shaking my hands and wishing me Godspeed, instead I had on jeans and a sweatshirt.  I was the mom next door, the only difference though was now I was the Dad also.

A few days after he left my brother's unit left also.  We went to support the troops and the town lined the streets with flags and waved.  People stopped their cars and honked and families hugged and held each other. Tears were flowing, and people were worried.  It was a different kind of day than the one we had just went through.

Looking back I learned with each deployment there is a large group of people that blend into our world so well we don't even see them. The wife, husband, grandparents and children left behind.  It is important that we as a country remember when their solider signs on that dotted line, his family signs with invisible ink. They serve right beside him, giving him the strength to do his assignment and to come home safely.  On this day that we honor all the Veterans, we must also honor those who stand behind, who graciously give all of their strength, and love.


21 comments:

  1. Thank you to your family for being willing to make the sacrifices need to make the world a better place.

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  2. That is oh so true! When we honor our veterans tomorrow,(which we should do more often than just Veterans Day - though it is nice to have a special day to remember) we need to also honor the families, because they, too serve. Thank you for your service!!

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  3. That is so true! And when we honor our veterans tomorrow (and more often like we should though it is nice to have a special day for them), we need to also honor the families who serve as well. Thank you for your service, all of you!!

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  4. We agree whole heartedly. Their families support them behind the scenes. They're what makes them come back.

    Hugs, Licks and Wags,
    Dina and Mom

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  5. OH MY {{SIGH}} what an ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS GORGEOUS and WELL THOUGHT OUT POST.

    THANK YOU.... for reminding us to not only REMEMBER and HONOR and THANK the Veterans and currently serving... but to TREASURE their FAMILIES ALSO. They have only LOANED their Loved ones to the military. BEAUTIFUL POST!!!

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  6. Very well said! My time was 28 years of Vietnam and other interesting places with no send offs of any kind and often getting the finger (or worse) upon returning. But I knew my units were always looking after the family. Now, that's not true and its more important than ever that we don't let the families be forgotten!

    Love,
    Gampy

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  7. Well written and beautifully said!

    Our Aunt Iris (Daddy's Sister) was in the army for over 25 years. We know the heartache of deployment and saying good bye.

    Tomorrow Mommy and Daddy will take our Grandpa Bob out to breakfast to salute him for being a Vet.

    God Bless America!

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  8. What a beautiful and touching tribute!!!

    Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

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  9. Your hear has spoken how it really is- to be the ones who sometimes feel invisable- except for maybe the sadness that peeks from behind a tear when having to say goodbye-.
    Tenderly you wrote this- you said it all so beautifully
    love
    tweedles and moms

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  10. Great post! We have a military installation very near to us so we know lots of military families. Our dad is a veteran of the first gulf war!

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  11. I will remember all our troops. What a story
    Lily

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  12. You brought tears to my eyes. I've always prayed for our soldiers and their families but really never thought about what it must be like to stay behind. I give thanks to the families who sign on the invisible line. Thanks for your blog today you have opened my eyes a little wider.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  13. We honour and salute all those who served and are serving and we also spare a thought for their brave families.
    Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  14. Its so important to remember to take care of our veterans when they get home.

    urban hounds

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  15. Well said.
    Much Love,
    Mama Mindy & The Slimmer Puggums
    George, Toby, Lily, & Mimi

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  16. Aw, this was so heart touching, with such a good meaning. We mustn't forget the family, and how they must be so worried for the people who have gone away.
    Pippa

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  17. We're so grateful for all of the brave men & women who fight for us, thank you thank you thank you!

    Love & prayers,
    Meredith & Scarlet

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  18. We are proud of all are veterans and theirs families, yours too! Thank you for your service.
    Love,
    Christy

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  19. What a beautiful post. We thank all those that have served and all those that are left behind waiting for their loved ones and keeping the homefront strong
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Greta

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  20. I saw this at 10:12 on Monday night. This is one of the best posts ever... and I'm right there with you. Good for YOU, thanks for serving all those years!

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  21. Fantastic post. Tears rolling ( what a pair we are LOL ) Gonna go grab a cuppa and sort myself out. xxooxxx

    Mollie and Alfie

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