I have told you before my favorite place to be is at home surrounded with my family. So leaving on a trip even a short trip, tugs at my heart a bit. Sure the break is nice on one level but I will miss tucking my little ones into bed, hearing their sweet little prayers and 4 pair of sweet little arms around my neck for hugs goodnight.
When Matt and I left for the Green Giant Trip this week we had an early morning flight. We made it thru security and found a seat while waiting for our flight to arrive. Missing my own kids a little, I found myself watching the two young families sitting next to me. Both with a young baby just a few months old. Daddies holding their little ones with pride, making them laugh, hugging and kissing their sweet chubby cheeks. Wives snuggled up close and snapping photos. There seemed to be a unspoken worry…. being that I don’t travel much I just assumed it was the same jitters I get when I travel.
As the terminal filled I started to notice several camouflage bags stashed under chairs. All were dressed in everyday clothing but the bags were a tale-tale sign that they were in military service. One young man sat down next to us and Matt shook his hand and thanked him for serving our country. As the conversation went on I found out these brave young men and women were shipping off for a 6 month tour in Afghanistan. All the pieces of the puzzle where now starting to come together, these families would not be flying together. Instead they would be saying farewell at the gate.
Soon it was time for them to board their plane. Trying to smile and be strong I watched these young mothers wrap their arms around their husbands. Then all at once the tears came streaming down their face, as they clung to every last second they had. By this time it was all I could do to keep it together myself, my own eyes filled with tears. A huge lump in my throat, as I found myself saying a silent prayer that the Lord will keep these men and women safe as they fight for my freedom. Then the moment came the final kiss and these brave young soldiers turned to board the plane. Only once their sweethearts where out of sight, did I see them quietly brush back a tear.
So to all of you who serve our country or have loved ones in harms way. Please know how grateful we are for you. I often pray for the men and women who serve our country, but now when praying for them I will have these faces in my mind!
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I have been that young mother saying goodbye to her husband many a times, each time with a baby in my arms. Thank you very much for this article as the men and women do appricate the thanks people give them. Our four girls are to young to be heart broken by boys yet but boy did they learn early when the one man they will forever love had to walk away from them. We know have to be strong as there is talk once again about another deployment. I hope all the wives, husbands, mothers, fathers,sons,daughters,stay safe out there and letting them all know we love them and pray for thier safety! GOD BLESS!
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Thank you for this post. My husband is retired Air Force and I spent 20 years of his military service with him. It’s not an easy live style. We now have two sons in the Air Force. My oldest has been in for 12 years now and my youngest has been in for five years now. Yes they have both been deployed. Thank you for your prayers for these young men and women and for their familys.
Brought tears to my eyes just reading it. I can only stop and imagine what these men and women are going through over seas and at home. I often worry about my own daily struggles which will probably never compare to military families. I just want to say thank you Lord for the men and women who fight so I can live freely. Military will forever be in my prayers and thank you for writing this. I think we can all use a little reminder of those fighting for our freedoms and what they are sacrificing for us.
I just got home from watching my brother graduate navy boot camp, and even though he was just going to SC for a-school it was still hard to say goodbye.
Thank you so much! My husband is over there now. We all appreciate the prayers!
thank you for writing this and very well written indeed! I am a proud Army mom and it is hard on everyone when you tell your son good bye in an airport terminal with all eyes on you! the day i put my 22 yr old son on an airplane to go to Iraq i cried not only because my heart was breaking but the pride all the Americans around us did, the whole terminal started applauding and telling my son thank you and shaking his hand i was so touched by the gesture.. when my son boarded the plane i sat down and cried my heart out and strangers came up to me and sat with me and prayed and offered strength.. i never felt more proud that day to be an American and NEVER been more proud of my son than at that moment.. so thank you for writing this it is a very touching story!
My son in law (Army Nat. Guard) left last nite for Guantanamo Bay, while we were all tucked in our bed, sleeping soundly. At the same time, my son (Air Force) was flying a mission in Afganistan, that would ultimately cause someone to lose their life. My step son (Army), also in Afganistan, would be resting in his sandy bed with not much comfort and missing his sweet wife back in GA. Thank you for taking the time to remember and pray for our military. We miss our boys.
Thank you for posting this, I am a military wife, and the good byes are so hard. You try to keep your composure so that the “little ones” dont see that you are upset. They dont understand why daddy or mommy has to leave for “a while”. I try to thank our heroes past & present every chance I get. Its such a small token of appreciation for such a huge sacrifice !!! Blessings
Thank you for thanking those who protect our freedom !!!
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Ur postt brang tears to my eyes just as all the pariotic music does on the radio. I am a proud navy wife, and me & my son whom is turning 2 this week r anxiously awaiting the return of daddy and my best friend. I am glad there r people like u that recoginze the service members whom r so brave but also us military wifes whom r also just as brave
This post is great!! I am a Army Wife, my husband has been deployed 2 times just got back 3 months ago, and will be deploying again new year. Its Nice to hear that people still care, I get alot of negative from alot of people
Thank you for this post. It also brought tears to me. I actually just signed up on Adopt A US Soldier. So I will be able to write, email, and send packages to my soldier. I hope this will make life a little easier for him while deployed.
Thank you for this post! I’m an Army wife and my husband just returned from his first year-long deployment a week ago. I never experienced a goodbye that was so difficult until my husband became a soldier.
Thank You. Military wife here to what is now a retired USAF man of 24 yrs. I have been through the Airport Scene so I did not make it through your post without shedding tears. Our heart is still with all of our friends & others still serving today. May they always come back to us. PJ
As a military wife, who has been through exactly what you described, I would like to thank everyone for their prayers.
Military life is not easy but I stand behind my husband/our troops
110%. Without them, we wouldn’t have the freedom that we do.
Please continue to keep all of our troops in your prayers…until they ALL come home! Some gave all..all gave some!
Amen to your prayers. I cannot thank those who serve or their families enough for keeping all of here at home safe.
I recently flew with my 3 small children and we also saw lots of military personnel in the Chicago Airport. I made it a point to thank everyone I saw for their service. My kids saw this and began to do it, too. This was something small to us, but something quite meaningful to those being thanked. They work really hard day in and day out to serve this country. The least we can do is say Thank You.
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