Military Spouse...a life

To be a military spouse is, at times, hard. There are the times you kiss your husband goodbye so that he can do a year away from you and the kids. There are the times you stay up late at night, worrying, because there is not enough money to pay the bills or put food on the table. (contrary to popular belief a military member is paid a pittance compared to their "real world" counterparts) There are the years spent away from your own mother and father. Holidays spent alone while your spouse is TDY. (a looooooooooooooooooong business trip away.) Times in front of the TV hoping to get a glimpse of the one you love most while you watch CNN report on the war. Then there are the times we must say goodbye to our dear friends due to a move. This week I had to say goodbye to Walker Jen. She is right now on a plane with her family. Headed back to the States. I will most likely never see her again and tonight, as I sit here alone because the hubby is 4 hours away and staying the night due to a Lt. Col leaving and they all need to have a big shindig for him, I feel just a little sad. In a week and a half I have to say goodbye to Walker Leigh. These two women have worked their way, most wonderfully, in my heart. We have created memories to last a lifetime. Now I have done this many times before. I've had to say goodbye to a plethora of women who have truly made my life better. Women I love and respect. Every time is hard. It would be easy to say never again. I just won't make girlfriends at the next base....it's to hard to say goodbye.

Then I think of all the opportunities I would've missed if I acted on those feelings. There would've been no Bec or Amy H. or Amy R. or Treasa or Traci or Pat or Paige-ee or Jen or Leigh. I would've missed so much. So many nights staying up late, sharing secrets and laughing til my stomach hurt. The times these women have sat next to me and handed me tissue. They have hurt when I hurt. Laughed when I laughed. Celebrated when I celebrated. Been there for me.

I wonder if right now, somewhere in Ohio, there is a woman doing her dishes. Listening to her kids play in the family room. She may be looking out her window at the empty house across the street and praying for a friend to move in. Someone to share with and laugh with. Someone to have iced tea with on a hot summers day. Someone who doesn't judge, won't gossip about her, will love her through the thick and the thin. To her I say...I coming. My heart will be a little bruised but it's open and big enough for another girlfriend. See, I needs me some girlfriends. There is nothing like another woman sharing your life with you in just that special way. We need each other. It is not easy being a military spouse. We need others to walk the walk with us. To that woman in Ohio, I'll be there in just a few short weeks. Put the kettle on so we can get to know each other over a cuppa. To the women who have been in my life, if even for a short time..know that I think of you often and that I treasure the time we had together. Thanks for loving me just the way I am. Even knowing I would have to eventually say goodbye...I tell you this..

it was totally worth it.