I went for a run this morning. It was peaceful, quiet and sunny {rare in the Pacific Northwest these days}. Running frees me up to think, pray, contemplate, cry, and sometimes grumble. This morning’s run brought on emotions I wasn’t expecting. With each step I was admiring new foliage, blossoming flowers and all the hard work our neighbors have been putting in to make our development beautiful. Something caught my eye. A poster. “Welcome Home Corporal”, it read. Next to it was a picture of a Marine in uniform. A hundred thoughts and emotions filled my mind and heart.
Five years ago I was hanging a poster much like that one on my front door, welcoming home my soldier. I cry as I write this. What an incredible year it was for us. For me. For him. Our daughter N {firstborn} was only 7 weeks old when we stood in that airport trying desperately to utter the words, “Good-bye.” The tears, they were endless. I couldn’t let go. What were we going to do for a whole year? How were we going to make it? My hope had to be in God’s sovereign plan. The first month was so hard, but through God’s grace, N and I plugged along. Our wonderful family, amazing friends, countless prayers and Skype kept us going. Both hubby and I grew in our own way. Our faith matured and our marriage was made stronger. It was a very hard year at times, don’t get me wrong. Days without phone calls, news coverage that only made me more afraid, caring for a sick baby, and feelings of loneliness that weighed me down as if I were carrying a 100-pound pack.
But, the year went on and finally, I got the word. He was coming home. Can it be true? We did it! We stood in the gymnasium waiting. My heart was beating outside of my chest. I had on my navy blue and white shirt, my red heels. N was waving her flag. The silence was killing me. What was that? The sound of soldiers in cadence? It’s true! It’s true. He is right outside the door. The soldiers ran in the gym to get in formation. My eyes spanned the floor. I found him…there he was…smiling at me. I had to wait for the formal introduction that lasted about 4 minutes, though it felt like forever. “Go see your families!” I cried. We cried. We did it. Thank you God. The sadness of missing N’s first Christmas, her first birthday, and countless other “firsts” didn’t matter anymore. He was home.
I know full well that my story ended differently than stories of other families. There is incredible heartache and pain associated with our military men and women fighting a war both past and present. My heart grieves for those families. I pray for them. Will you pray for them too? Especially on Memorial Day. We are a free country and I don’t, for one second, take that for granted.
When I got home from my run this morning I recounted my thoughts and feelings with my husband. We decided that the kids and I would bake some brownies and take them to our neighbors. We will welcome their Marine home and thank him for his service. After all, this was our story a short five years ago.
Off we go…brownies and “thank you” note in hand.
mommy tidbit :: my mom taught me that I should always have an extra box of brownies or muffins in the pantry for occasions just like this.
Loved this! I remember sweet Noe when she was that small, and it’s hard to believe so much time has gone by since. Thank you to your husband for his service, and to you for supporting him, AND other military families.
WOW! I seriously couldn’t get through that one without crying! You have such a gift in explaining things through words…I could see you standing there anxiously awaiting your soldier. I’m so glad you are living your happy ending!!! Thank your wonderful husband for his service!!!
Hi KC,
I stumbled onto this from Dan on FB and reading it brought me to tears too. Especially since our stories are SO similar. Remembering and thanking the Lord for each day we have and the sacrifices so many others made to make our days possible. Hope you and family are well. Enjoyed reading your blog. Many blessings!
Thank you so much for the beautiful cards and brownies. I have put the brownies in the freezer for Brian. It was wonderful to meet you and the children. What a wonderful Memorial Day memory for Brian to pass onto his children some day. Again thank you for thinking of him and for your own families service and sacrifice.
Susan
Thank you corporal… Thank you Dan… and.. all the soldiers for your commitment to our country and our freedom. Thank you dearest KC for listening to God’s voice and acting on His gentle nudging… we all were blessed because of it. xox Mom
KC,
Thanks for this post. I love reading everything you have to say. Thank you this time for reminding me to involve my kids in the purpose of this holiday. I love what you did for your neighbor. I won’t let it pass by without prayer and support and gratitude for our military friends. Thank you, KC. You are an amazing military wife. Keep up those runs! I love hearing about them.
Katie
Thanks for posting this. I’ve been there too, although hubby and I didn’t have children yet when he was deployed. I’ll never forget how it felt to see him walk off that submarine after what felt like an eternity! I too, realize that my story has a happy ending, where so many others do not. Happy Memorial Day!
My first visit to your blog. What a sweet way for me to start this day. I am grateful for the freedom I enjoy daily and am reminded that so many have paid so dearly. Thank you for your lovely blog.
my goodness…
i’m sitting here at work today with a face full of tears.
i thank your hubby for his sacrifice
i thank you for your sacrifice.
we are such a blessed country because of sacrifices such as your precious family’s.
i found you today at emily’s. her blog is one of my top 3 faves….i’m adding you to my reader today.
happy memorial day!
Thank you so much for posting this story. I have tears welling up in my eyes. Happy Memorial Day to you and your family!
What a great reminder – thank you! I’m going to call my friends whose husbands are active Navy and thank them as well.
I’m so thankful for you and your family that your husband came home!!
You have a beautiful family.
God Bless
thank you kc and dan for both of your sacrifice. blessings today!!! thank you for sharing your heart.
my recent post: simple woman’s daybook 5.25.11
we’ve been there too and it’s not easy. i am sure your neighbor really appreciated the thoughtfullness! happy memorial day!
Thank you for your thoughts and action today. I am a Marine Mom and a Marine Grandmother. My son served three tours in Iraq. He was a single dad with full custody. I retired early to take care of my grandson while my son was deployed. Those three tours were the hardest part of my life so far. His homecoming were the best times in my life. My grandson enlisted right after graduation last June. He will be deployed to Afghanistan later this year. I will rely on my faith in God.
I think of the young Marines in my son’s battilion that didn’t come home and my heart breaks. May God bless all of our military and their families.
this is beautiful, sweet and powerful. i feel so blessed that there are families like yours who are brave and willing to sacrifice so much for our Country. God bless you and your family. thank your husband for his service. i will keep all the military families in my prayers once again. susan
Sent over from Emily’s blog. I love this post, and it is hard for me not to cry. I can cry at airport greetings, much less a soldier coming home. I am so glad your husband made it home safely. Thank you for sharing this story and pics of your family. You have a beautiful family.
~ Julie
Love your post! Many, many thank you’s to your husband.
Thanks to you for sharing and thanks to you and your husband for giving in service for our country, for us, for others. God bless you all…
Loved your post! I can’t imagine how hard to have a husband gone…it’s hard enough having a brother deployed! I wonder if you wouldn’t be willing to pop over and give me a visit at Life for Dessert and read my post from today about honoring our soldiers as well?!
I admire your spirit, appreciate your perspective, and honor you and your family for your sacrifice of precious time together for the cause of our freedom.
- Logan
What a beautiful post! My husband was deployed in 2008 and I can tell you that I relate very well to your feelings. Our daughter was 15 months old when he left and 3 old kids too.
It was a tough year and through the Grace of God I made it through.
Semper Fidelis
MJ
Lucky 7 Design
So beautifully said. We don’t always think of the sacrifice that the families make … the wives, the children, the parents. Thank you for the reminder. May God continue to bless your husband and you and your family. Thank you!
And now I cry – again today. Thank you for your words. A special thanks to your husband for his service. I read through several of your posts and my soul was filled with each – thank you for being ‘a light on a hill.’
This was an awesome post. My husband left 3 months ago (for only a 6 month deployment), and I got to call him a month later and say…”By the way, we’re expecting!” So excited, but I’ve been joking that when I come get him in September he better say nothing if I’m waddling!
Some families aren’t as lucky. I thought of them today, saying little prayers that kind words eased their hearts on this day.
Thanks for sharing your story. I’ll pray for his safe return and that you have a very smooth pregnancy. What a delightful distraction for you until he returns!
Blessings,
KC
As a daughter of a Coast Guard veteran, I thank my God for the amazing men and women who are serving, have served, and will serve to protect us all. Godspeed.
Found you through Emily Jones…your post choked me up and brought tears to my eyes. God bless you and your family. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love, Becky
Your story was a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing! Also, heartfelt “Thanks!” to your husband for his service to our country and to your family for supporting him in his efforts. God is so good!
God bless you and your husband!! Thank you both for your sacrifices to keep me and my family safe and free in this great country of ours!
I just stumbled upon your blog…what a joy!
Thank you for your inspiring words and thoughts. I am a runner too (just for fun(?) and can totally relate to your “run” times with God and prayer, and thinking, and growing, and shaping…all with those running shoes on. I actually got saved while running one day 8 years ago!
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing a bit of your story with me. I love that you got saved on a run … awesome! Have a great week!