This past weekend the oldest two girls and I went to Alabama to watch my brother graduate from the Air Force JAG Training program. My grandfathers both served in World War II, and my dad was in the Navy Reserve, but I’ve never been on a military base or known much about active duty military life and practice. The lawns of this particular base are laden with fighter jets and helicopters. You’re surrounded by so much formality, history and tradition there that it’s hard not to feel patriotism, even a sense of reverence as you catch a glimpse of what goes on in places of this sort day in and day out. These men and women {and their spouses} choose to embrace a new way of life, with so many unknowns, to serve their country. They move wherever, whenever and willingly give up a lot of personal freedom to ensure ours. And, simply being on that base reminds me that I don’t think about the kind of sacrifices they are making often enough.
For the better part of the past decade, my brother and sister-in-law have lived in Birmingham, Alabama. First for college, then law school, then to begin their married life. Their friends and comforts are there. It’s a familiar city for our whole family and an easy 3.5 hour drive from where we live. But, their first assignment with the Air Force will take them all the way up north to Boston… which adds about 11 hours to that drive time!
It’s Boston. It’s an exciting big city with more culture and history {and possibly more snow!!} than one could take in in any one weekend. We’re excited for them. But, we’re selfishly sad for ourselves because it means seeing them far less often. And, they’ve always been close enough to come in for birthday parties and holidays and quick weekend visits.
The girls adore them. And, at their ages they have no idea what the military really is, so this is going to be a great learning experience for them. Already they’ve learned that the officers in training couldn’t speak during meals when they were in basic training. Since they can’t fathom a meal with less than ten thousand words, this blew their minds. So, they were very relieved to learn that the silent meals were only temporary.
It may be true: “Off {they} go into the wild blue yonder…”
But, they won’t be going alone. And, they won’t be going without a ton of love and prayers {and a Build-a-Bear teddy bear} from a few of their biggest fans in Tennessee.
We love them to Boston… and wherever else this journey takes them… and back. Specifically, back to the South we hope!
In stark contrast to the type of bravery discussed above, this was the Toddler at the playground yesterday.
Did she see a big bee or a large spider or a lizard at the bottom of the slide??
No.
She saw a gnat.
Heaven help us if we ever see a snake or anything else that actually threatens our safety.
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