2010

As a Military Mom and a Troop Supporter, what did 2010 give me?


Tears – more tears than I’ve ever cried in a year’s time. Tears of joy at a phone call, a package received, an email after a long silence, Free Mail, pictures, learning that someone is home safely. Tears of sadness from stories of missing home and loved ones, the loss of a friend, hunger, fatigue, loneliness: and knowing I can’t fix any of it. Many tears when the reality of TB’s impending deployment hit me. I remember telling him I had to get it out and be done with it; once that happened, I would be fine.
Laughter - at silly jokes and pranks, at stories about what Troops do with things I send, at responses to things I say. TB has a way of telling about a relatively normal event that makes you laugh and shake your head. We never have a phone call that isn’t peppered with laughter. Chats are the same. One way or another we always make each other laugh.

2010 gave me friendship – some fleeting, some lasting – hope for the future, and strength I never thought I’d have.

I joined Soldiers’ Angels to offer support and to show that people back in the States care. I’ve been blessed by that decision more than I ever imagined possible. For every letter, email, and package I’ve sent, for every bit of time and energy I’ve expended, I have been repaid more than ten thousand fold.

As the new year begins I look forward to more of the same – tears, laughter, friendships – and the joy of TB redeploying.