Military life

When I talk with my nonmilitary friends about deployments or really anything having to do with the military life, I often get "I don't think I could do it" as a response. Military life isn't for everyone and it certainly isn't easy, but it opens up a whole new world. I don't think in any other community would you find the outreach of help that you find in the military world.

I was on the receiving end of this help today. For the last three day (at least I think it has been three, I am a bit foggy) the kids and I have been very ill and that jumbo pack of paper towels I purchased just days ago is now gone. I put a call out to my neighbors on facebook asking if anyone had some paper towels I could buy from them. The out pour of people saying they would bring me some was unbelievable. Typically that gesture would have been amazing, but what made it even more incredible was that people were offering this help in the middle of the worst snow storm our neck of the woods has seen in nearly 20 years. People were offering to drive to my house from miles away just to help another military spouse that was literally wading in a pool of puke. My rescuer came in the form of a young lady no older than 12 dressed head to toe in snow gear. In that moment, even though there was vomit all over my floor, I haven't had a chance to shower in days and my house has never been such a disaster, it was so heartwarming to know that even though it was a random need I had people willing to come to my aid. 

The military community is good for things other than bringing you supplies to clean up bodily fluids, you will find people who can fill your heart with joy even on the hardest of days. In December a friend, who happens to be a wonderful photographer, asked if I would like to squeeze in family photos before my husband left. When I say squeeze in, I mean squeeze in. I believe she sent me a message on Tuesday, pictures were Thursday and the hubby left Monday. We were given a glimpse of a few of the pictures after they were taken, but the rest were kept a secret. Being a military wife, Raina Skye understands that sometimes during deployments you need a little pick me up and what better pick me up than photos of your loved ones? Raina must have known that I needed a pick me up today because she shared the rest of the photos to me today. Words cannot even begin to express how much those photos mean to me.

Military life isn't always easy or pretty, but it is nice to know that we have a community that comes together to help and support each other.