I bet most people in my pre-Army life wouldn't trade places with me in a million years. On the surface, my life appears to suck: working two jobs for eight bucks an hour while the husband is off fighting a war for over a year. I'm sure many people feel sorry for me that I have to be alone and fearful.
I don't see it that way. I have so many things to be thankful for.
I'm thankful that I get to teach my classes. I don't really care about the money; I do it because I love Soldiers and I want to help them excel. Hearing them hooah or ma'am me is the greatest feeling in the world, and reading a well-formatted essay about how wonderful the military is...well, that just tops it all. I grumble that I'm always grading papers, but I'm so fortunate to have gotten my foot in the teaching door in the first place.
I'm thankful that it doesn't matter that I only make the eight bucks an hour. If deployment brings anything, it's cash flow. We're one check away from paying off our car, the last of our debts or obligations, and it's a thrilling feeling to be financially set. My husband has certainly earned his Hostile Fire Pay, but I'm thankful that he is eager to save that money for a down payment on a house someday instead of wanting to buy video games.
I'm thankful that I have friends to go through this year with me. I'm still a little freaked that news of my blog has leaked out, but it has brought me closer to some people and made for a lot of inside jokes and good conversations. I managed somehow to bring comfort to Mrs. Sims and the Prewitt family, and in turn many people have brought me comfort as well. I'm so thankful that I've met people from all over the world who share common ground.
And, believe it or not, I'm thankful for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Without hesitation I can say that I am thankful that Uday and Qsay are dead, that Saddam is in custody, that al-Qaeda and al-Zarqawi are on the run, and that Iraq will soon have its first election where the result is less than 100%. I'm thankful for nations like Poland, Great Britain, Australia, and all the rest of the coalition of the willing for standing up for what was right even when it meant incurring wrath from the axis of weasels. I'm thankful that President Bush sees the threat of islamobarbarism and has vowed to counter it as long as he is in office, and I am thankful that 59 million Americans helped keep him in office so the fight could continue.
Most importantly, I'm thankful that my husband is fighting a war in 2004. We have the luxury of being able to instant message with each other nearly every day, and when he's involved in something dangerous, I have the ability to track it online. I'm thankful that our brigade was adamant about the 100% R&R policy, something that was impossible even last year. I'm thankful that my husband got to come home for two weeks so he could get much-needed rest and crab rangoon. I hear from him, I know he's safe, and I support him wholeheartedly...but I'm also thankful that we only have four months left!
This year I have so many things to be thankful for. Wars have a way of bringing immediacy to your life, and I'm thankful that I've learned to be grateful for every minute my husband and I have together, as well as every friend who understands why we are thankful we can be part of such important moments in American history.
I have nothing to complain about. I'm thankful.
Posted by Sarah at November 25, 2004 07:59 AMNice post. I, (and many others, I'm certain) are thankful that you've shared a bit of your life and thoughts with the rest of us. I'm also thankful for those that are serving our country in the WoT, and for the sacrifices of their families.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Jack Grey at November 25, 2004 10:39 AMI also have much to be thankful for this year. One of the things is that we still have so many people who believe that there are things important enough to fight for. God bless and keep you and your husband today and through out the year.
Sometimes the reward for what we do is measured by more than money. You will be able to say that you made a difference in someones life and that is worth far more than 8 bucks and hour (plus the experience will look great on your resume) :-)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by: Pamela at November 25, 2004 05:40 PMHappy Thanksgiving!! Glad to read you're doing well today!
Posted by: Beth at November 25, 2004 07:23 PMThank you, Sarah.
Posted by: david at November 26, 2004 06:04 AMI'm thankful for people like you and your husband.
Posted by: David Foster at November 26, 2004 06:13 AMYour awesome. If only we all had your attitude.
I swear to you there isn't a day that goes by that me and my kids don't say a prayer of thankfulness that there are people like your husband willing to fight, willing to go , willing to give so very much.
And in their sacrifice we find someone like you, who waits, who works, who places her faith in her country and gives us a glimpse of her thankfulness.
There is something in that that touches my heart. Knowing that a woman like this, who understands all that it is important, MUST be married to a uncommon man of valor, although NOT uncommon in our military.
That someone like this, this man that is your husband, fights....gives me great solace.