Day 85 (giving thanks)

I am a very lucky girl. This Army Wife life ain't easy.... But you are so wonderful. You cheer me up, you keep me from losing my mind, you calm me down. You always have my back.

One aspect of this life that I don't mention often is family... Not the family we are born into, but the Army issued family... Our brothers and sisters. The military fuses people into a special bond that is different than any other. I am lucky enough to have several "brothers" in Afghanistan who keep an eye on both of us. They make it a priority to check on me and keep me posted when you cannot. I'm still not sure how, as the eldest of our entire group of friends, I always end up being the little sister. ;)

I got a letter from a dear friend just before Nate deployed in December. With his permission, I'd like to share it tonight. His heartfelt words are like a hug from my wonderful big brother every time I read his letter. It gives me comfort when I worry.

This is the letter that I received from Sgt. James Powell on December 5, 2011:

To end this day before I lay my head down to sleep in this land of dreary hostility, it weighs heavy on my mind that you are in a time of need.
I do not come to you as a brother, family member or dear friend. Today I come as a Soldier and answer as only a Soldier can.
As a Soldier, always pragmatic and realistic, I will not make promises that cannot be kept. I will not fill your head with empty dreams of guarantees that are dishonorable to make. I do come to make promises though, promises that will be kept. As your Soldier leaves your arms, know that he is not heading pointlessly into a dangerous world far from your love and care. Know that he is heeding the call of 99,000 fellow armed Soldiers that want and need his courage, strength, honor and integrity. As he leaves our cherished country behind and his loved ones with it we share in his heartache and sorrow from afar.
This I PROMISE to you, from the moment your Soldier leaves your arms he will be guarded and watched over as steadfastly as if you were armed and by his side. Every step of the way he will be surrounded by fellow Soldiers, like-minded, like-trained, and equally honorable.
I PROMISE that as long as he remains within distance of arms, sight, sound or bullets he will be protected by the best military force this world has ever seen. I also PROMISE before those distances are ever exceeded many enemies will be laid to rest and their wives will have want to grieve.
I PROMISE during every mission, task and dreary day, your Soldier will have a few of the 99,000 around him to help pick him up, give him a hand and watch his back until that faithful day when we can all come home.
I PROMISE that we will ALL do everything in our power to ensure we get to our cherished land whole and alive so you can be with him again.
When you feel down, remember all of this and if it becomes too much, call on us... any of us and we will dispatch the rear-detachment of Women Insurmountably Valiant & Eternally Sacred (WIVES) to come to your aid. They are a feisty bunch but they represent us honorably and with pride and will serve you well in your times of need.


P.S. Smile Chihuahua, I got his back. I'm going to sleep now. Talk to you soon.


I will always hold this beautiful letter near my heart. The fact that he took time from his day to make me more comfortable means so much to me.

So this is my "thank you" to my brothers. Thank you for having my husband's back. Thank you for checking on me. Thank you for being so giving of yourselves...and thank you to your amazing wives and children. I love you all.

And Nate...thank you for being such a wonderful husband. My life, my hero. You amaze me every single day. I love you. Goodnight.