Monday, September 7, 2009

We Can Do It



We can do it. That is my family's motto for the year. It doesn't feel like it now, but we can do it. We've sent my husband off to war. The road ahead feels daunting. My heart is broken and I miss him so much it hurts. I can't explain the agony of saying goodbye to him, and honestly, I don't think you can begin to imagine it. I can't explain the pain our children feel knowing that Daddy isn't coming home tonight. We can do it though. He will come home, and we will make it through.

The pain that I'm feeling has caused me to reflect on our ancestors and their military service. What I take as a fruitful search, more sources to verify the information I have, is so much more than black and white letters on a page. Behind those words you find the story of a family who had to say goodbye to a loved one. Who didn't know when they would see them again or what lay ahead. Who had to live their day to day life without him and do their best to cope in his absence. How grateful I am to these families and their sacrifices. In today's modern world, my road is not nearly as bumpy.

As I'm sure our ancestors did, we find ourselves praying for our soldier's protection -- missing him and loving him and hoping the time passes quickly until we are reunited. I couldn't be prouder of my husband for his courage, valor, bravery and his willingness to serve our country. He is my hero. We're in this together, and we can do it.