Military Wife Appreciation

I followed one of my reader's comments to my post on the 4th of July, 'God Bless the U.S.A. The Meaning of Freedom' , and found this amazing poem, honoring military wives.

Thank you, Chaotic Mom for honoring those who wait ever-so nervously on the sidelines for their soldiers to come home. We still must go on with our day-to-day parenting, despite the fact that our spouses are fighting a war in another country for months at a time. The worrying never ends.

Most people don't realize that the military spouse is completely alone in raising their children while their other half is on deployments. Most military families live hundreds, even thousands of miles away from their extended families: mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers. So, we're truly alone during this time, in the sense of familial support.

If you happen to know a military wife (or husband) who brings inspiration to your life, please acknowledge them. Offer your assistance every once in a while. Give a gift, showing your support. Thank them for sacrificing their husbands or wives enabling them to defend your freedom.

It's a difficult task, no doubt. And it takes a very selfless person to complete it.

The backbone of the home you see.
That's what the military wife is to me.
Guarding the fort while her husband's away,
Defending and protecting his country each day.

Though many forget the importance of her role in his life,
Please, Sir, don't forget the military wife.
The woman who primarily raises her children alone,
The one who strives to make a "house", a home.

The one who sacrifices the time she could share,
The one who has many responsibilities to bear.
The woman who is married to a protector of the world,
The one whose life stays fairly unfurled.

I say again, kind Sir, don't forget the role
she plays in his life.
Yes, dear Sir, the military wife.
The woman who stands by her husband's side,
The one who takes life stride by stride.

The woman who wonders when he's far away,
The one who prays for his safety
and sends tender love his way.
Next time you look into a soldier's eyes,
Think of the one who stands by his side.

The one left behind, the encouragement in his life.....
The woman who's called the MILITARY WIFE.