February 2005. I remember well the moment the call came. We were living at my in-laws, relaxing in the living room for a moment before heading to bed. I answered the telephone and a voice asked for Sgt. Ericksen. Calls often came for my husband from men in his battery as he was a member of a field artillery unit with the Army National Guard. I handed him the phone and then busied myself, unconcernedly, in the living room. As I was walking back toward the kitchen my husband stepped in front of me and held up a paper with the words he had just scribbled on it: "Iraq, March _".
My heart jumped into my throat and I whispered, "Are you serious?" He was a jokester and had teased me sometimes with the idea of his deployment, but this time I could tell it was different. He nodded his head as he continued to listen to the speaker on the other end. I immediately began sobbing and leaned into his chest, unable to control myself. He held me for a moment, but then pushed me away, not wanting the man on the phone to hear. I ran into the bedroom and closed the door, collapsing onto my bed in tears. How could this be happening? We usually heard rumors through the guard, which unit was being deployed next, when the next unit would be home. But this came with no warning at all. And I was 2 months pregnant with our second child. Would it ever know it's daddy? I pushed the thought out of my mind. Immediately I began to pray.
I poured out my soul to my Father in Heaven, pleading for strength and peace. I began to calm down. By nature I am not a very reactionary person, so for this to affect me as it did was unnerving. Soon I exited my bedroom and went to sit next to my husband, my soldier. His parents had been in the front room, reading together and had no idea what had been going on in their home the last few minutes.
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It's all about Being.
Things happen for us, not to us.
My Story
This blog started as a way to share the story of my husband's deployment to Iraq and how we got through it all. Since his return home, however, I've discovered that we encounter new battles every day. I'd like to use this blog to connect with others, whether soldier families or not, on a deeper level; and share some of what I learn each day as a soldier's wife, a mother, a student, a teacher, a woman, and a child of God.
Being a soldier's wife is about much more than the deployment. Happily Ever After does not begin with the return home. Rather, we make our happiness for ourselves as we choose each day to keep moving forward, despite the obstacles placed before us.
Being a soldier's wife is about much more than the deployment. Happily Ever After does not begin with the return home. Rather, we make our happiness for ourselves as we choose each day to keep moving forward, despite the obstacles placed before us.
For God and Country
1 comment:
Oh my precious precious sissy la la. I think you are going to be a millionaire once you finish your story. Keep writing! What an amazing women, mother and example you have become through all of this. I'll love you forever!
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