I can tell you from personal experience that having a loved one gone for a length of time is heartbreaking. You don’t know what is going on over there from one day to the next. My husband had the honor of serving for two years in Iraq and just return this last year.

When he left is was hard on the family as a whole. The children and myself. I am a stepmother so that didn’t make things any easier on the situation as a whole. There were times of separation and times of togetherness. Times of love and unity and times we just couldn’t stand each other. But through it all we always had each other.

I can still remember feeling of panic in the bottom of my heart after listening to evening news. Listening to the car bombs and men being intrapped or taken prisoner. Those thoughts still linger in my heart from time to time even now. Just the thought of the unknown.

The unknown was what makes it very difficult for many of the families that have loved ones overseas. It is heart drenching at times. Waiting for that one call. The call when so much is on your mind but then you have a small of time to say it in.

For others, it may be waiting on the letter in the mail that lets them know all is o.k. When really it is not. They are missing home and everything that comes with being home. They are missing their nice comfy beds, clean clothes, good food, a friend. They miss all of these things.

Yet everyday we sit over here and complain about the mundane things of life. Not enough of this or that. I can’t make ends meet. How will get by? These are only the small things to mentioned. So, I remind you, have you thanked a solider today?

I can tell you that the moment my husband came home, and told me all the things he had been through my heart felt so bad for complaining. Complaining of all I had to do while he was gone. Instead I should have thanked him for the time he had to serve. Time he had to give so that I could be free here in America.

Yes, I am well aware of the problems we have here in America but none can be worse than those who live away from here. We are blessed as a country even with the problems we have. I am proud of my husband for serving and giving his life for my freedom. Thank you to all the men and women that serve in the military and protecting this land that I love so much. I am blessed beyond measure for what I have!