The Returning Soldier

We hear a lot about the empty chair at the table but not a lot about how hard it is for these men/women and their families when they return home. When they first leave you don't know how you are going to get by without them and worry constantly. Out of necessity, you gradually learn to adapt to their absence and your family develops a new rhythm to their daily life. The next thing you know, they are home. You are overwhelmed and feel blessed they were returned to you safely and seemingly in tact. The hard part comes when once again your family has to develop a new schedule, a new rhythm. Unless you have been there, it is hard to imagine the guilt you feel when after a few short days you find yourself resenting the toilet seat that was left up or the three course meal your farm boy husband expects when the kids would be happy with PB&J. Immediately, you think of those wives who would give anything to put the toilet seat down and fold those socks in the appropriate military fashion. At the same time, your S.O. is trying like mad to adjust back to a life that must seem mundane and inconsequential. After all, a clogged disposal is not exactly up there on the “urgency scale” with sniper fire. The coming home often becomes as emotionally draining as the leaving. As the wife of a vet, I can only imagine how much harder is must be when these families are faced with deployment after deployment after deployment.

God Bless our military men/women and their families...may they find the peace and happiness they deserve.