I've read pretty much every one of these messages and for the most part I thank each and every one of you for what you wrote.
I am the spouse of a US Marine currently serving month 8 out of a more than year long deployment. I think some of you should get to know me and my family a bit and learn what it is that our lives are like before stating what you feel are facts about this type of life.
My husband has been gone since Feb of 2007 and here is just a small list for you of things he has missed and will miss because of this deployment.
*Most of my pregnancy with our child and eventually the birth of our son. I had my parents there with me every step of the way but in no way did that take away from me wanting my husband, my sons father, there with me every step of the way.
*Thankgiving and Christmas this year, you try explaining to your 3 year old daughter that she in no way did something bad and thats why Santa can not bring her Daddy home for Christmas. Or as your son grows up explaining to him that his daddy was away for his first holiday season because he was so far away fighting for each of us in this country.
*My birthday which in the 6 years we have been married he has not been here for any of.
*Our daughter's third birthday. He was here for her second birthday and will again miss her fourth next year.
*His 26th Birthday which since it is on New Years Eve has been a party in itself for us for the past nearly 18 years that we have been in each others lives.
*Taking my daughter to school and on field trips and having kids ask her why her Daddy isnt coming along this time and where her daddy is. She seems to think she has done something bad to make him go away so many times, and as often as I explain it to her, the mind of a 3 year old thinks for itself.
I am not stating this list for sympathy I am simply trying to give others a glimpse into a life that so few of us live day to day. Unless you do live it there is really no understanding of it. How many 3 year olds can tell you exactly where on a map Iraq is or that when asked what their dad's do for a living can tell you, "My Daddy is a Marine. He fights the bad guys in Iraq so we can be safe" thats a direct quote from her at school not too long ago when asked.
You often hear so many time, I support the Troops, but in all honesty those that say it how many of them do things to support the troops? Keeping them in your prayers or thoughts is an amazing thing, becoming involved in sending care packages to those who get nothing, helping to support the families left behind.. I can not tell you how many times I wish that instead of someone telling me they are so sorry and my life must be so hard, could someone just say well I guess it does stink but way to hang in there.
Because, Yes, it does stink at times, and yes I miss my husband every minute of every day, but I would not trade my life for any other in the world, ok well maybe someone that can get a day free to go to a spa to get a massage or her nails done, but in honesty I knew what my life would be like when my husband and I got married and I am fine with that. He loves his job and his duty to his country and he will be doing this as long as the Good Lord and Government allow him to. Its odd seeing other 24 and 25 year olds and how their lives are compared to mine, but never once do I stop and say I wish I had their life, I normally find myself saying, I wish they were as lucky as I am to live my life.
If you have read this far I thank you. I'm sure I have done more than my fair share of rambling on here but when your day to day interaction is that of a 3 year old and 2 month old, any sort of adult contact is appreicated.