Deployment Day February 9th, 2007

In sickness and in health

No it's not a marriage but it is a committment. A promise to lend aid, comfort and support to a family while daddy is away. I suppose it is a marriage of sorts and the vows certainly apply. This first week has been a test, of that I am sure. I remember a time when I had car problems and didn't know if I would arrive to and from work or home on a daily basis. When you are a single parent, there isn't always someone there to "rescue" you in times of need. So our week was off to a great start when the van began having a brake problem. We escorted it to the shop and loaded us all up in my car, which is a bit on the small side when it comes to children's car seats. But the little sardines managed and we were none the worse for the wear. Wednesday found us unexpectedly having to go to the emergency room, always a parents nightmare. Little Kaylin had a febrile seizure. We discovered the measure of God's grace to us in the form of our new pastor and his wife. What a treasure! The customary follow up visit yielded strep throat results and now it appears that Kyran may follow suit and another visit to the ER may be in order. Well, life is never dull when little kids are involved for sure. So here I am, in sickness and in health trying to give moral support and hoping to maintain my own health among the munchkins.
Perhaps another challenge is in order to all of you who are blessed to have a spouse. Be conscious of those single parents or other folks who may not have that additional support in the form of a spouse or other family member to help out. Some people find it difficult to ask for help and struggle along on their own. Look for opportunities and don't be afraid to "butt" in sometimes because chances are that person really needs help but doesn't know how or is afraid to ask. I personally have been in that position and now am surrounded by many military wives who have husbands that are gone for a year. It is amazing how many things can go haywire in a home or car and can overwhelm someone who is already up to their neck in other issues. Be aware people!

Precious Moments

I have a small collection of Precious Moments figurines but most of the ones I have, has a particular significance in my life. In other words it was given to me by someone special or I purchased it because it had some particular meaning for me. While I enjoy my collection there are precious moments that are much more important and that is being with family. With Jeremy's soon departure to Iraq, I have come to value each minute as especially precious. A year in broad terms does not seem like much but when you have to go through that 365 days moment by moment, hour by hour while someone you love is far away in a dangerous place, it can be excruciatingly long. So I challenge each one to take time today and go tell your husband or wife, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins, mothers and fathers, how much you love them. And if some rifts have come between you over time, make this the time to mend a few fences. We have been dreading when Jeremy has to leave and yet we want to enjoy this week as much as we can so we are squeezing every minute out of every day. I hope you will all do the same with all of your families. Never take them for granted. Treasure your precious moments. If there are days when you seem to tire of each other or get a little short tempered with your kids, your spouses or just family in general, pause and think what it would be like not to have them around for a year and remember to say a little prayer for three little kids who are missing their daddy and a wife who now must assume multiple roles, and for another mom who just wants her kids to be safe.