The reality of the Military

Two stories... real eye openers...

1. Yesterday we walked to the bowling alley on base with a group of children. There is a group of soldiers coming home very soon and for them the garrison is getting decorated with signs and yellow ribbons. As we were walking by a cluster of signs this little boy (i cant use names) pulled my arm and said "Look Miss Beth, Look!!" He pointed at a sign of him and his brother that said, "Forever in our hearts, finally in our arms, Welcome Home Daddy!" His dad has been gone for 15 months! he started talking about all the things he would do with his dad when he came back and how much he missed in. It brought tears to my eyes to think about how much this family had sacrificed to defend our country. It brings a new perspective to soldiers and the strength of them and their families. There is also a 5 year old girl how is waiting and waiting for her mom to come back (in the same group) and asks me at least twice a day if it is the end of June yet.

2. There is also the other end of the story. A 6 year old in the child care center approach me really upset, talking about how her dad was going on a 15 month deployment to Afghanistan in a couple weeks. I watched her little heart break in front of me. how can these families do this... WOW! To be in constant fear all the time about whether of not they will come back and having to live 15 months without them... trying to keep their relationship and attachment. It astonishes me.. the strength of these children!