While talking to a friend the other day, she told me that she thought I had a pretty simple life. Maybe you can imagine how taken back I was when she said this. There is nothing simple about being a 'stay at home mom' and there definitely isn't anything simple about being a Marine wife. Yes, I am at home each day but, I handle all of our expenses, our kids, keep the house clean, and other things like that. I make the needed phone calls that directly impact our life. Go ahead and throw in various doctor appointments and I barely have time to think!!! I get to enjoy my cup of coffee in the morning and maybe one show that I had recorded from the night before. That is my relaxation. Being a mom never stops. Your kids might be asleep, but you are still up getting things done. It's non stop. During the deployment, having to do these things all on my own?! Holy cow was that crazy. Just as soon as I would get something finished I would have another problem at my feet. And, I couldn't call Brad to get his input on it. He was over 7 thousand miles away. I couldn't call his cell, I had to wait for him to call me and at one time we had went months without talking. But, I guess the optimistic side of a deployment is that you find a stronger side of yourself than you knew you could be. You are mom and dad, homemaker and handyman. You can't wait till the hubs gets home so you can bitch about things that went wrong with your day, and exactly how are you suppose to complain to your husband when he is in a war zone?! It's not even so much that your problems are nothing compared to his, with me, it was more because I didn't want him to worry about what was going on back home. I needed to reassure him that he need not focus on us, but on him and his fellow Marines and the tasks that were ahead. That is not easy. Sometimes when things would go horribly wrong, I just wanted to cry to him and say I can't take it anymore... but no. I couldn't, no, I wouldn't. I didn't feel the need to burden him with my problems. Yes, there were times when I had to pretty much jam my POA down people's throat just so I could get things done, but all in all, I made it work the best way that I could. So, after venting all that and seeing where I am in life, no, my life isn't simple, it isn't easy. But, but, but..... I wouldn't trade this life for a simple/easy life. Wouldn't trade it for a million dollars. (okay, maaaaybe for a mil, but I mean we are in a recession right!) I love the honor that is behind our life. I can proudly say that my husband has fought (and will probably do it again) for this country and I stood by his side through the whole thing. No one can take away that pride. Our daughters know that their daddy is a Hero. He took on a job/life that most wouldn't. I can tell our girls that mommy followed daddy and supported him when most women wouldn't. These are things that will shape our kids.
I have met some really great people since my husband has enlisted. Some are still here, some have moved, and sadly, some gave their all for their country. But still, I wouldn't trade my high strung, stressed out, wild, crazy, unpredictable, hurry up and wait life for anything.
So I politely say to those who think my life is simple, uneventful even, you can kiss my hind end. (hahahaha)
Life is grand. But I wouldn't be the woman I am today, if it weren't for the steps I took in the past.
Live your life as if there is no tomorrow and dream big. Dream as big as the canyon.
Semper Fi
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