Sitting in the dining facility this morning, I was listening to a feature on Headline News about Military Moms as Mother's Day is this Sunday. They were talking about the growing number of mothers in the military with pictures of them with their children. My favorite picture was taken by a great photographer in the Seattle area, Shauna Kruse, when I returned home from the last deployment. Both boys are in my arms and we are enjoying that first hugs after many months apart.
This year has been most unusual as a Mom within the military. I have only spent five inconsecutive weeks at home for this entire calendar year between a 10 week school in Texas and a field training exercise. I have had multiple reunion moments that were not as sweet as those above. When I came home for a weekend during one of those stints, my oldest greater me with "Mom.... it's not March yet, what are you doing home?". Before he would offer a hug. The nomadic life of a military family means that the abnormal events of an absent parent becomes the norm. Skype replaces some of those everyday interactions and hugs are sent through the mail in a do-it-yourself assembly kit. (Yes... I have received one of those this year!) Good nights are given through pre-recorded dinosaurs and story books read through the USO's United Through Reading program. That is the best method to stay connected that anyone has ever created.
This week was filled with multiple training events, drawing of gear, and qualification on ranges. Time is spent attempting to fit a mountain of uniforms and equipment into as few duffel bags as possible as you head downrange. Packing becomes the fine art of Tetris and oral lamentations that you did not have to take as many items as they issue. The schedule keeps you very busy as you await the opportunity to get ready for the coming year. It has also meant little time to connect due to bad cell phone signals and distant WiFi connections. Skype conversations take place in very public areas like the PX area as I watch many colleagues do the same with their families tonight.
Even though the new "norm" for this year has been my absence, there is still a moment when life and reality meet to display what I am missing at home. It is not just the hugs, or the influence, but it is truly the little things. The ability to persuade a child into doing something he does not want to because personalities match. Or the chance to help practice speech aspects to reinforce skills. Parenting takes on a much different aspect through Skype and the distance. You do not want to scold or have a negative communication to leave the child with throughout the next couple weeks until able to communicate again.... and yet you need to reinforce the fact that was Daddy says must be obeyed. It is an interesting balance that most individuals have never had to think about or ponder. Yet.... this is the life and struggle of a Military Mom.
This year has been most unusual as a Mom within the military. I have only spent five inconsecutive weeks at home for this entire calendar year between a 10 week school in Texas and a field training exercise. I have had multiple reunion moments that were not as sweet as those above. When I came home for a weekend during one of those stints, my oldest greater me with "Mom.... it's not March yet, what are you doing home?". Before he would offer a hug. The nomadic life of a military family means that the abnormal events of an absent parent becomes the norm. Skype replaces some of those everyday interactions and hugs are sent through the mail in a do-it-yourself assembly kit. (Yes... I have received one of those this year!) Good nights are given through pre-recorded dinosaurs and story books read through the USO's United Through Reading program. That is the best method to stay connected that anyone has ever created.
This week was filled with multiple training events, drawing of gear, and qualification on ranges. Time is spent attempting to fit a mountain of uniforms and equipment into as few duffel bags as possible as you head downrange. Packing becomes the fine art of Tetris and oral lamentations that you did not have to take as many items as they issue. The schedule keeps you very busy as you await the opportunity to get ready for the coming year. It has also meant little time to connect due to bad cell phone signals and distant WiFi connections. Skype conversations take place in very public areas like the PX area as I watch many colleagues do the same with their families tonight.
Even though the new "norm" for this year has been my absence, there is still a moment when life and reality meet to display what I am missing at home. It is not just the hugs, or the influence, but it is truly the little things. The ability to persuade a child into doing something he does not want to because personalities match. Or the chance to help practice speech aspects to reinforce skills. Parenting takes on a much different aspect through Skype and the distance. You do not want to scold or have a negative communication to leave the child with throughout the next couple weeks until able to communicate again.... and yet you need to reinforce the fact that was Daddy says must be obeyed. It is an interesting balance that most individuals have never had to think about or ponder. Yet.... this is the life and struggle of a Military Mom.
