"Why is it that when you deploy your family seems to never get what its like for you. Tey seem to allways go about there lives as if you never left. Your children are growing up with out you and you don't have a clue whats he or she is doing. Your family doesn't think that time when he did that funney thing is important. To them its just another funney thing. But to you those things keep you going. They put a smile on your face sometimes the ony smile you will have all day. Or remind you why your in the Army fighting and risking your life. This time I feal pretty safe I meen I'm a Fobit. No senes in trying to make it something its not. But when I look around at the infantry guys and the MP's I for the first time understand when they say that they feal all alone. I realize that most of the time when families break down from deployements its because Soldiers leave and life goes on with out them and sudenaly its not there family anymore. They remember what there family was like but it will never be that again. But that other family (there Unit) Never leaves them they stay with them, they risk there lives, they tell them every little detail, They cry with them, They even rejoice with them on ocasion. But back home is these other people that once did all that. But no longer do. Dont be that family. Keep in touch, tell them all the stupid little stuff that you don't think matters. Trust me it matters. And listen to your soldiers. Even if you don't have a clue what there talking about. For Gods sake flipen listen and give a damn."
This a quote from a very wise man's blog. It was dated 11 Nov 07 and written by SGT Victor Goltz of the US Army, Chaplain Assistant. When I read this, I cried. Someone finally knew how I felt while I was isolated, I mean stationed in Korea. Its like we live duo-lives. Those in the military know what I mean, and I'm sorry I dont mean the silent ranks of the wives or family members even though I know they face their own obstacles back home. I'm so very thankful for the family and friends I made while in Korea. I really truly am. The hardest part was, and still is, that I know I'm missing out on the "little things." Laughing with Amy at silly things Nevaeh does, smiling with Kandy over the wonder and amazement that Jackson brings to our lives. It hurts. Bad. knowing I'm missing it, I missed my cousin graduate highschool, another small thing to some. I cried the day he graduated. I've missed weddings, funerals I should have been at to support friends...and I know I'll miss more. So here's my challenge if you know a military family, ask for their service member's address, email, or what-ever. Take the extra effort, just to send them something and talk about the little things you do throughout the day, what you encounter, especially if you're back at their home. I receive someof the greatest mail once a week, every week, since I left for basic training. My pen pal Peggy, sits down once a week, she asks me a few questions, then she just shares whats going on in her life. When Zeke was back there, she'd tell me how when she walked past he would be outside barking. Zeke is my world as most of you know (my dog) I could visualize him out there barking, and it would bring the biggest smile to my face. Its funny, my most favorite thing in Korea was hearing Zeke bark in the background when I'd be on the phone with mom. Share the little things with your loved ones who are away. They miss you, and are out there for you fighting or whatever their duty entails so that you can enjoy the little things. Take care of those you love, their the ones who will be there for you in more ways than you can ever comprehend.
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