My ex-husband was in the military. During that portion of my life, the majority of time, we lived in anticipation of that inevitable change. It came with the job, but adapting to that wasn't always easy. Everyone made sacrifices, but that is just how it goes when you love someone in the service, even the children. They grew up quickly understanding that they wouldn't have the opportunity to grow up with one gang of buddies to call their best friends, and have those childhood memories as they climbed the ladder of grade school, and where they would graduate, the stories they would share on that special day would more than likely not be with a long life childhood friend. They could no more anticipate who they would graduate with or where, with any more accuracy than that of a good guess and a shake of the infamous Magic 8 Ball. We did what we had to do, every change was one step closer to the hope of completion and normalcy. All that change couldn't prevent us from being the family we chose to be despite our commitment to the Navy.
Change became a part of who we were and especially taught us a greater capacity to love. We made a home in a home that we knew would be temporary. From one side of town to the other, a new zip code or even a new country all together, we created a home. Our environment became a part of us, our favorite places to be, where to watch him depart and arrive on his Submarine, our favorite places to go when he was gone during shift work or months of deployment at a time. Our favorite festivals, movie theaters, parks, grocery stores, roads, local drives, just things to do, always trying to relocate home away from that last place we gave that title too. However, one of the greatest blessing we received in all that time was the love, support and friendships we created in our circle of friends; especially at church. Our ward families became a part of ours. They watched over us, our needs and well being. We gave to each of these individuals a part of our hearts, our love and they became a part of us and our story.
As I look at my children, the oldest being 20 now. It seems like a long time ago that he was first born and slowly with faith and anticipation our little family grew. Each of them bringing something wonderful into this life and the associations they had with their friends& their families, another part. I remember being a young mother, looking to the other women in my ward to guide me in what I was doing, and doing so often on my own. Everyone can see that childhood does not keep well, but it passes in an instant, and the moment that you have to love and teach your children is always a present, did I say present, yes, it is a present but truly that moment is more in the present, being in the NOW. Even when those moments are gone, the past becomes the past, we can still love and feel that love unceasingly. I know LOVE does the best that it can, we have to be true to ourselves even when we take inventory. God knows the love that we have for each other and I am thankful to those friends that helped me along my way when my children were smaller.
Now and today as I stand back and witness one of these friends, suffer the loss of her own son. Time passes but I can't help but remember the little child I witnessed then. I wonder and wish that I could do something more for her. Without the need of constant communication with this friend, from that time long ago, she has always been in my heart, esteemed by my spirit, my friend. That is the gift of sacrifice I am sure and I wouldn't trade it. That too is the witness of that greater capacity to love. My heart I give her today, my prayers I will continue to offer her and my love with always be there. Good luck Annette.
10 Be still, and know that I am God...
Change became a part of who we were and especially taught us a greater capacity to love. We made a home in a home that we knew would be temporary. From one side of town to the other, a new zip code or even a new country all together, we created a home. Our environment became a part of us, our favorite places to be, where to watch him depart and arrive on his Submarine, our favorite places to go when he was gone during shift work or months of deployment at a time. Our favorite festivals, movie theaters, parks, grocery stores, roads, local drives, just things to do, always trying to relocate home away from that last place we gave that title too. However, one of the greatest blessing we received in all that time was the love, support and friendships we created in our circle of friends; especially at church. Our ward families became a part of ours. They watched over us, our needs and well being. We gave to each of these individuals a part of our hearts, our love and they became a part of us and our story.
As I look at my children, the oldest being 20 now. It seems like a long time ago that he was first born and slowly with faith and anticipation our little family grew. Each of them bringing something wonderful into this life and the associations they had with their friends& their families, another part. I remember being a young mother, looking to the other women in my ward to guide me in what I was doing, and doing so often on my own. Everyone can see that childhood does not keep well, but it passes in an instant, and the moment that you have to love and teach your children is always a present, did I say present, yes, it is a present but truly that moment is more in the present, being in the NOW. Even when those moments are gone, the past becomes the past, we can still love and feel that love unceasingly. I know LOVE does the best that it can, we have to be true to ourselves even when we take inventory. God knows the love that we have for each other and I am thankful to those friends that helped me along my way when my children were smaller.
Now and today as I stand back and witness one of these friends, suffer the loss of her own son. Time passes but I can't help but remember the little child I witnessed then. I wonder and wish that I could do something more for her. Without the need of constant communication with this friend, from that time long ago, she has always been in my heart, esteemed by my spirit, my friend. That is the gift of sacrifice I am sure and I wouldn't trade it. That too is the witness of that greater capacity to love. My heart I give her today, my prayers I will continue to offer her and my love with always be there. Good luck Annette.
Psalm 46:10
God is our refuge and strength—He dwells in his city, does marvelous things, and says, Be still and know that I am God.10 Be still, and know that I am God...
