“This is my four-year-old daughter, Charlie, at her tee-ball game. She didn’t expect her Daddy to be at her game today, as he had been out in the field training for the last two days. She was elated when she spotted him making his way out to her on first base. She doesn’t realize it, as she’s been a “military brat” all her life, but her daddy misses out on a lot these special moments. To her, this life is normal, this is all she knows. Military children sacrifice so much, yet they beam with love and pride when they see their Soldier Mom or Dad. Making those sacrifices pale in comparison to these moments. It doesn’t matter how many days, weeks, or months her daddy has to leave for work. When he returns, it’s as if they never missed a beat. These kids spend their adolescence sharing one or both of their parents with the military, moving across the country (or around the world) every few years, changing schools, leaving friends, leaving behind memories and everything that is familiar to them…their home, as they move on to a new duty station, meet new friends, find a new school…and make a new ‘home’. Yet they still adapt and overcome these changes better than most adults. I’m overwhelmed with pride not only to have such a selfless husband, but such resilient kids. These moments put everything into perspective.”
Photo Credit : Michelle Randall.