recently, the girls and i were having a conversation about what daddy does at work. i tried to just put everything in the most simple of terms, "daddy tests weapons to make sure that when the soldiers use them that they are safe."
julia spoke up,"and soldiers are men and women who sacrifice LOTS of things to protect us from people who do not want what's best for us!" "that's right julia." i said.
i could see katie processing.. she spoke up next, "so mom, the soldiers protect us from harm, and daddy protects the soldiers from harm!" i paused and kind of let her words settle a little then i said, "you are absolutely right!"
my heart swelled with pride. i had never thought about like that, but katie could not be more correct. so, when mark comes in @ 12:30 AM after 14 hours of testing, it's a lot easier to picture of all of our friends whom are soldiers, rather then throw myself a pity party for the long hours he is gone. mark is not soldier. we are not a military family, and i would never claim to know what they go through and what they sacrifice. BUT i do know that i am INCREDIBLY proud of my husband who is not on the battle field, but who is extremely devoted to using his gifts and his education to protect those who ARE on the field.
to ALL who serve this nation in official or unofficial positions!
~s
i love this.
ReplyDeleteThe day that daddy left he was heading up a formation for the guys on his chalk - all 211! He was up in front talking and giving out orders and his rules for the flight. Emma has never seen daddy work - she only knows he is in the Army. So she was struck by the responsibility he had. With tears in her eyes she asked me if Daddy was responsible for taking care of all those guys and keeping them safe. I told her yes he was and that he was very good at his job. She burst crying and then asked, "who is going to be keeping Daddy safe."? I was struck for a second and did not know how to answer - so I just said all of daddy's friends and God.
ReplyDeleteI am going to tell her about what Mark does and how there are a lot of people on this end that help keep daddy safe as well...
AND tell Mark we LOVE what he does and appreciate it more than he will ever know!
As another wife on the receiving end of Mark's hard work...THANK YOU. Knowing that there are HONEST men like Mark working on projects is a huge blessing and encouragement. Men of integrity are few and far between these days. He does incredibly important work over there. Love you.
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