When It's All Worth It

Today I received a call back from the high school registrar, Linda. I'd left a message regarding my daughter's transcripts and needing to have them sent to a college where she is applying. She was very helpful and more than happy to get them off before leaving on winter break tomorrow. Then she told me a story that left me in tears.

Last year, when my husband was in Iraq, he had contacted her for help in securing a "stabilization." You can request one when you have a child who will be a high school junior during the time of your next scheduled military move. It ensures that you stay put until your child has graduated from high school. For those of you who know my husband, you know he has never met a stranger and always takes the time to have a friendly relationship with everyone. Linda filled me in.

Apparently, her father was a veteran. Well, that's all it took. My husband had a U.S flag officially flown over Iraq for her father. Then he had it sent to him, along with a personalized certificate. She told me, "You can never know how much that meant to him. When he received it, he raised it proudly with all of his family in attendance. He spoke of your husband, with tears in his eyes. Later, Taps was played. It is still proudly flying."

Now, my husband has been home for less than half of our marriage, because of his military service. But when I look back over these nearly 20 years, and I see how many lives he's touched through his service, I know that our family's struggles have been worth it.

I married a wonderful man, and I am so grateful for him!

the Seasons go 'Round & 'Round

Most parents, it seems, can't wait for their children to go to school. I have never understood that, because I was always so madly in love with mine. I never could imagine sending them off all day, five days a week; not because I thought they weren't ready or able, but because I would miss them both terribly. So I more or less home-schooled them to college.

They weren't sheltered like you might think. We lived and traveled all over the world. They were involved in sports, scouting, and church activities. We went on field trips with other home-school families. There were music lessons, concerts, camps, and even wood carving lessons from a retired Colonel down the street. We were able to visit our family and friends and take great vacations while everyone else was in school. Even though they were three years apart, my children became the best of friends. I know, because I was there.

Now they are both in college, living at home. They enjoy a lot of freedom, as they always have, though there are still a few rules too. They are both busy with their lives, but we still find the time for an occasional game or dinner out. Next year it could all be very different. As we await orders for our next duty station, one is making plans to stay here where he works and trains, and the other is planning to transfer to a 4 year school in another state. It's exciting for all of us. A new chapter with endless possibilities. But I will miss the laughter and smiles we share each day. I will miss the warmth and kindness. I will miss the daily sharing of our lives.

Happily, I will have the memories: My little girl with the shirt she decorated in puffy paints when she was 4 that read "I am a bed hog." My little boy screaming for joy on Christmas morning, "IT'S THE MEGAZORD!" as he opened the coveted Power Ranger toy. We roller-bladed and rode our bikes, played hide and seek (we still do!) and went to midnight Harry Potter movies. So many memories that make me smile. So many shared tears, hugs, and laughter.

I know that things will change. They have to. But I also realize that some things won't. I know that somehow, via telephone, internet, and perhaps one day, even teleportation, we will manage to keep sharing our lives and our love. And there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that I did what I was put here to do and now I can retire....and wait for grandchildren.