What is a MILITARY Wife?
They may look different and each is wonderfully unique
But this they have in common: lots of moving
moving moving moving
far from home
moving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with HER of course moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house
moving curtains that won't fit
moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours
moving away from friends
moving towards new friends
moving her most important luggage; her trunk full of memories often waiting waiting, waiting,
waiting for housing;
waiting for orders
waiting for deployment;
waiting for reunions;
waiting for phone calls;
waiting for the new curtains to arrive;
waiting for him to come home for dinner.
They call her "military dependent", but she knows better
she can balance a checkbook
handle the yard work
fix a noisy toilet
She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move,
all with ONE Power of Attorney
She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her
Reinvents her career with every PCS;
locates a house in the desert, the Arctic, or the deep South and learns to call them all "home".
She MAKES them all home. She is fiercely independent
Military Wives are somewhat hasty
They leap into decorating, leadership, volunteering, career alternatives, churches and friendships
because they don't have 15 years to get to know people
Their roots are short but flexible
They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.
Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.
They connect over coffee, rely on the spouse-network and accept offers of friendship and favors and record addresses in pencil.
Military Wives have a common bond.
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands.
His commitment is unique. He doesn't have a job, he has a 'mission'
He can't just decide to quit.
He's on-call for his country 24/7 so he may not be there for Anniversary's, Birthday's or Christmas
His language is foreign: TDY, PCS, OPR, ACC, BDU
And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long-distance link to keep them informed; the glue that holds them together.
A Military Wife has her moments
She wants to wring his neck, dye his uniform pink, and refuse to move to Siberia, but she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days...a travel brochure, a long hot bath, a pledge to the flag, and a wedding picture.
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.
Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man who puts duty first, who salutes the flag, and whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military husband,
She will be his Military wife.
But this they have in common: lots of moving
moving moving moving
far from home
moving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with HER of course moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house
moving curtains that won't fit
moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours
moving away from friends
moving towards new friends
moving her most important luggage; her trunk full of memories often waiting waiting, waiting,
waiting for housing;
waiting for orders
waiting for deployment;
waiting for reunions;
waiting for phone calls;
waiting for the new curtains to arrive;
waiting for him to come home for dinner.
They call her "military dependent", but she knows better
she can balance a checkbook
handle the yard work
fix a noisy toilet
She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move,
all with ONE Power of Attorney
She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her
Reinvents her career with every PCS;
locates a house in the desert, the Arctic, or the deep South and learns to call them all "home".
She MAKES them all home. She is fiercely independent
Military Wives are somewhat hasty
They leap into decorating, leadership, volunteering, career alternatives, churches and friendships
because they don't have 15 years to get to know people
Their roots are short but flexible
They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.
Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.
They connect over coffee, rely on the spouse-network and accept offers of friendship and favors and record addresses in pencil.
Military Wives have a common bond.
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands.
His commitment is unique. He doesn't have a job, he has a 'mission'
He can't just decide to quit.
He's on-call for his country 24/7 so he may not be there for Anniversary's, Birthday's or Christmas
His language is foreign: TDY, PCS, OPR, ACC, BDU
And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long-distance link to keep them informed; the glue that holds them together.
A Military Wife has her moments
She wants to wring his neck, dye his uniform pink, and refuse to move to Siberia, but she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days...a travel brochure, a long hot bath, a pledge to the flag, and a wedding picture.
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.
Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man who puts duty first, who salutes the flag, and whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military husband,
She will be his Military wife.
The day we got engaged, Ian planned an awesome day to remember...we went to Eatzi's in Buckhead and ate all this great international food.
Then we went across the street to this cool spa, and Ian treated me to a massage
We then went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens where Ian got down on one knee and proposed.
Dinner at The Sun Dial on top of the Westin Hotel in downtown Atlanta
What an awesome day!!!
Look at that great view (of course I'm talking about my goodlookin' man)
We finished off the day with a musical at The Fox Theatre
6 comments:
I'm excited for you. In a couple of days I am going to set up a live hotmail account till we get settled in Florida. I'll let you know once I have it set up. That poem is a good one-even for now military wives who have moved a lot-just not every 3 years.
That's a great tribute to the military spouse, and very true indeed. I'll be praying for your assignment!
i got chills bumps reading this Vonda! God did prepare you for this life with your man and I'm so happy you see it that way! i'm so glad you and Ian have each other and your two precious girls! God has been SO GOOD!!! i too CAN'T wait to hear what your orders will be! we've got plans to make. missed you this week!
Can't wait to hear where you are headed next! The military is an adventure, definately! Thanks for sharing pictures of your proposal day, a sweet memory you'll have always! Miss you guys!
This post has brought tears to my eyes! How special that you have pictures of the day Ian proposed. What great memories! And to think how much your life has changed in just 4 short years. Remember in 8th grade, when 4 years until your senior year seemed like a LIFETIME!!!
What a beautiful poem. It is truly such truth and such a tribute to all those who are military. I am so thankful that you are so happy with your military husband and 2 baby girls! When we met Ian for the first time, later in the privacy of our home, Dad and I related how we truly felt like God had prepared you for the Military life. Isn't God good!
Love,
Mom
Post a Comment