Dec. 23, 2006
Thank You
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Have you ever considered the sacrifice that the military families make for us. Not just in a time of war, but as a practice overall. Lately I've been thinking about those men and women who haven't had a Christmas at home with their families in years. Those who have to leave their young babies, toddlers, children when they are called. I can't fathom leaving a young child - how hard that must be. Fathers who aren't present for their child's birth and are virtual strangers to their litle ones once they do return home. Also, for the families that remain at home....a mother being a single parent (in essence), how tired she must be when she falls into bed every night. How many new skills she must learn to keep the household functioning -- those jobs that the man of the house always did. Celebrating birthdays from afar, year after year, yours and those of your children, loved ones. And, then in those times of danger....putting themselves in harm's way - willingly. The mothers who have lost sons to war - my heart goes out to them. They'll never be the same. What a mix of pride and pain that must be. As a mother of three sons -- this hits a little too close to home. I wouldn't dissuade any of my children from joining the armed services if that was what they chose. It's impossible to know what these mothers are feeling without having lived what they are living. An awesome task it must be to carry on with ordinary life, knowing that your baby is thousands of miles away, and his safety is uncertain. By the grace of God they carry on - one day at a time, day after day, year after year. What a sacrifice! During this Christmas season when homes are warm and hearts are happy, when all seems right with the world....my mind wanders to those who can't share this time with their loved ones...because those loved ones are away -- serving. Making these United States a better place, protecting our freedoms and working to create democracy for others. And some who only have their memories left to hold...how I pray for peace and comfort as they learn to navigate this new life that they've been thrown into. How hard that tug-of-war must be between learning to live a 'new normal' and not wanting to leave behind that space of time that your loved one occupied. Thank you hardly seems enough. Today I say thank you to all of those whose lives are, in any way, effected by this selfless representation of humankind. Thank you for your commitment and for your sacrifices....the ordinary daily ones that don't gain attention, and the ones that change lives forever. I thank the soldiers, I thank the mothers, I thank the families. We don't take forgranted the cost that they assume on our behalf. May they know that this world is a better place because they lived. |