I am sitting here at my in-laws house watching the news this morning (because our house has been without power since Monday afternoon due to the significant damage caused by the storms in our area).
Did you know that today, March 20, was the official start of the Iraq War…10 years ago? Yep, it has been 10 years.
I sit here and think about the last 10 years and reflect on all that just my little family has gone through. I can only imagine what, on a larger scale, other military families have also gone through.
In the 10 years since the official start of this war, my husband has completed 3 deployments; 3 full deployments and already preparing for the 4th. My soldier has been to countless schools and trainings which inevitably meant more time separated from us – with the current one taking him away from us for a little over 5 months. He has had a few promotions. A couple unit changes. We have seen our family grow by two of the most precious children.
In those 10 years we have celebrated numerous birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and countless other life moments without our soldier. But one thing has remained the same – our love and pride for our soldier. Time and distance has not and will not change that…if anything it only makes us stronger and to appreciate more.
Do you remember what you were doing this day 10 years ago? It is doubtful that unless you are a military family that you do. I remember very well what I was doing. My husband was already deployed “over there.” We were new to the military life and had not ever been through a deployment. We had no idea what to expect. Our communication was nothing like it is today. We would go days and weeks without an email or phone call, making those moments we did get to communicate so wonderful. I remember the night everything kicked off very well. J had called long enough to say I love you and that was it. I was with two very precious friends that night – their husbands were out of town. We had planned on just having a girls night…little did I know how God had orchestrated that night so I would not be alone. We turned on the TV only to see the news showing live coverage of the bombing. I think all 3 of us just sat there in shock. It was a very surreal feeling. I am thankful for friends by my side to pray with me and also to make me laugh. It was also at that moment that I banned myself from watching TV…it irked me, all the live coverage. It is hard to believe that was 10 years ago.
Jessica is a stay-at-home-mom who has been married to her Army Reserves husband for over 11 years. She enjoys scrapbooking, spending time with her family and blogging on The Crow Family Blog.
