The world we all share.

Sometimes I wonder how exactly we got to this point in our lives. Going from living in a small town with family all around us, to this. Sometimes I wonder why we have put ourselves, and our children into a lifestyle that is nothing if not inconsistent. And then sometimes I wonder how we have been so blessed to be in this position. How many civilian families get to live the way that we do. I am not speaking money terms either, do not get me wrong we have a paycheck coming in, but we are nowhere near making the big bucks.

What I am talking about is the emotional side of the military life. There are many difficult emotions that families such as ours have to deal with. Children go long periods of time without two parents, and some even without either. Spouses have to try and keep it together living thousands of miles apart. And sometimes there has to be that explanation of why our loved ones will never be seen again. The list could go on and on. Right now though, I am talking about the wonderful emotions.

It is not easy having your loved one gone for months at a time, and sometimes to places that you are not sure if they will come back from. But nobody understands the blessing that we have from being reunited. There really is no way for me to even describe it, no words can get anywhere near the feeling. Then there is the feeling of pride. My husband has done some pretty amazing things, and will do so many more before this journey is over. We are able to see places that we would have never even dreamed of seeing. Places that I did not even know existed. There are relationships that you build with other families that are like none other. There is an understanding that is not normally vocalized, but is always present.

Sometimes I sit and think about how nice it would be to just have my husband home every night. I think about being able to buy a house that we will live in forever. And not having to worry about my children losing their father in an instant. Then just as easily as those thoughts cross my mind I am reminded that this is the life that we have been led into, and I would not change it for anything in the world.

Do not get me wrong, I understand that the military is not the only lifestyle that lives with situation such as these, but this is just the one I am in. I also understand that there are situations that people are living that are much worse than anything I will ever experience. My heart goes out to all of people that have endured heartache in their lives.

Maybe tonight as you settle down, just look around at the things that you have. The blessings you have been given. If you have dealt, or are dealing with troubled times, just know that it truly does make you stronger. And do not for a minute ever think that you are alone, we all have things under the surface that connects us to the world we all share.