A few months ago, not so long after Hubby left on his deployment, I was struggling with all the new adjustments that his being gone required. I turned to my blog for a little venting, I don't know which post it was, but one friend & fellow military wife of mine could read between the lines, she heard all that I wasn't saying. That, by the way, is the mark of a true & dear friend. She promptly emailed me, asking if I needed anything (another mark of a true & dear friend) and because she asked, I dumped all my stressors into her inbox. This is part of her well timed, and inspired reply to me. I share with permission:
Abigail Adams said: " If you had known," said a person to me the other day, "that Mr. Adams would have remained so long abroad, would you have consented that he should have gone?" I recollected myself a moment, and then spoke the real dictates of my heart. "If I had known, Sir, that Mr. Adams could have effected what he has done, I would not only have submitted to the absence I have endured, painful as it has been, but I would not have opposed it, even though three years more should be added to the number, (which Heaven avert!) I feel a pleasure in being able to sacrifice my selfish passions to the general good..."
It wasn't until I read that quote that I realized how powerful my role as a soldiers wife was. So is yours! You are in the same great league as Martha Washington and Abigail Adams. Being the wife of a soldier is by far one of the proudest responsibilities any one in this Nation has. We, as well as them, are defenders of this land, and this is the promised land, the land promised by God to the righteous and you can be proud that you are among the ranks of the greatest women of all time.
It's said that when Leonidas went to face the Persians at the battle of Thermopolai his wife threw herself at his feet and asked him how she was supposed to go on without him.
That's your legacy.
It always gave me comfort to remember that. :)
5 comments:
I love her response--awesome. I sincerely appreciate your sacrifice.
We pray for the military and their families daily.
Until I moved here, I never really KNEW what life was for families in the military. It's a hard thing to wrap your head around if you're not around that culture.
At any rate, just remember to get assigned by me next. ;)
Oh, I feel super loved. Thanks.
You really are among the greatest women in our American history. That is an awesome club to be in, as hard as it must be to be a soldier's wife.
God bless our troops!!!!
Many, many humble thanks to all the sacrifices of our soldiers and to their families.
Love you, Heather!!
Hi There-
I know this post is older, but I had to comment. I found your blog through my sister's (www.ingfamily.blogspot.com)recently and have loved reading your thoughts. Your son and mine are almost the same age and we've had some of the same struggles you've written about(even the torticollis!). Throw in a husband who has been away (we're Army) for the past several months(single parenting? not my favorite) and I can completely relate to so much of what you write here. It's nice to know I'm not alone. :-)
Now, with that extremely long preface out of the way-I loved this post. It was exactly what I needed today. So, thanks.
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