Hug a Soldier!

As another Memorial Day Weekend comes to an end, my heart feels happy and full. 

Hubs and I were able to make it down to Louisiana to spend a bit of much needed time with some of my family.  The once hop-skip-and-4-hour-jump from Houston to Lafayette is now an Oh my God, are we there YET? seven hour drive from Killeen.  Needless to say, it has become a little harder to make it back home as much as I'd like.  We were able to have a crawfish boil, boat in the Atchafalaya Swamp (where I turned as red as the crawfish that I ate the night before), attend a benefit concert to raise money for Mickey Shunick (see my last post), and I was able to love on my sweet little godchild.  It was a fantastic weekend!

Like many Americans, I am reminded today of the many men and women who have fought to protect the peace in our country so that we are able to enjoy these beautiful moments.  And being a military family, we can't help but be extra grateful.

Personally, as much as I am proud of being an American, becoming an Army wife was not something that I had ever thought would be a possibility.  It's not an easy task.  First and foremost, I am not a political person.  I can't classify myself as a Republican or Democrat and if "Hippie" were a Political Party, I'd probably classify myself under that option.  Political corruption disgusts me, I want World Peace more than anything, and I think that if our leaders would just "hug it out" every now and then, there would be a lot less killing.  Secondly, I had to make peace with the fact that the love of my life would leave me from time to time and be put into situations that I would not wish upon my worst enemy.  And lastly, my absolute worst nightmare, knowing that my love and all of our friends who are sent into these horrible situations have a possibility of not returning.  As much as I love my husband, this was something that I didn't know I could handle. 

Love makes you a lot stronger than you ever thought possible.  It also aids in making sacrifices a lot easier to deal with.  As much as I hate knowing that my husband, the man that makes my world complete, does have the possiblity of getting deployed again, I am willing to share him with the country that I love.

All of this is just to say, how VERY grateful I am for those who have sacrificed for our country.  I know that it is not an easy task.  The men and women who have fought and not made it home.  The loved ones who were not able to attend the coming home ceremony that they imagined while their soldier was gone.  The soldiers who have been deployed time and time again and handled it with grace and dignity, regardless of how hard it is to be deployed.  And the girlfriends, wives, and families who are left behind, holding down the fort at home, patiently (and at times, not so patiently) waiting... 

If you see a soldier, give them a hug!!! :)  Or, at least, give them a heartfelt, "Thanks!"

My special thanks: to my amazing husband, who has been deployed to Iraq three different times and remains to be the most wonderful man that I have ever met.  To our grandfathers, who are both gone but not forgetten, and who have both served.  To my stepbrother who fought in Afghanistan.  And a very special thanks to all of the amazing soldiers that have protected, fought with, and celebrated with my love and have become my own very good friends.  There are not enough words to express my gratitude.

Happy Memorial Day

Dee :)