On this day, 10 years ago, I stood in the parking lot of an Army reserve base and watched my husband leave for his deployment. I felt as if my whole world had crashed down around me, and I honestly didn't know if I would ever see him again. Not long after that I was watching the local news and found out that his unit was part of first wave of soldiers to cross the border into Iraq. And they had already lost one of their own. I remember thinking that even if Erik managed to return home to me, he would never be the same person he'd been before he left.
I am one of the lucky ones. Of course Erik was changed by his deployment, there is no way that someone wouldn't be changed by war. But when I finally saw him on the day he came home I knew he was still my Erik. He had lived in a bombed out building, he had been sick with dysentery and had lost so much weight that I barely recognized him. He had lived in a land of suffocating dust storms and unbearable heat. And he survived and overcame things that I will never know about. But he was still my Erik.
Not everyone is as fortunate as I am. I thank God every day for returning Erik home to me, relatively unscathed and well-adjusted. I know this isn't the case with everyone in his unit. I honestly don't know why we were so blessed while others have struggled...or why some have been unable to cope at all. But here we are, 10 years later, and I wake up each day next to my wonderful husband and try not to ask myself why he's here when so many didn't come home at all.
All I can do is remember those who were lost, honor those who made it home, and remind myself of how blessed I am to have my husband here with me.
22 comments:
Thank you both for your service!
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Beautiful post. Just beautiful!
Lovely words! Hope you are having a good week:)
~Anne
You are a lucky one, and I am so happy Erik came home to you, and that you both are living and making the most out of your life's!
Wow. This brought me to tears. Thank you. Thank you both.When I look at friends who have lived through war, I sometimes try to see into them, try to wrap my head around knowing they've seen things I couldn't begin to fathom. But I have to stop, because if I lose myself in wondering, I know I will lose sight of the blessing of having them back home, safe and still, mercifully, the people I know they are.
It is so amazing to see how much you love your family. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post!
Very moving post. My heart goes out to both of you.
So so beautiful. xxx
wow is it hard to believe it is 10 years already. thank you for your husband's service and for your sacrifice as well
So beautiful. You truly are a lucky one! Thanks to both of you for so much sacrifice!
This made me teary eyed. I think you're both pretty lucky. :)
Wow. Thank you for sharing and for his service! I can't even imagine.
-Tara
http://madmaxandfamily.blogspot.com
I hear you.....I feel for so many who lost loved ones and I feel so grateful, at the same time, for being alive and for those I know who returned back home all in one piece as well! -Jessica L
Oh! I'm in tears! I can't even imagine what your family, and other military families have been through to defend our country.
I am so grateful. :)
His serious face in those photos is just about heartbreaking. Thanks to both of you for what you've given to the rest of us!
Happiest anniversary to you guys! This made me teary.
We are lucky ones too, having wonderful people like your husband defending our country.
I don't have words that will do this post or the way it made me feel justice, so I will just say, thank you for writing it. It was touching.
what a powerful post and testament to your love. thank you so much for sharing. i feel like there are so few americans who really know the sacrifice that military families go through--i feel lucky to have read this.
So glad he made it home safely. I thank God everyday that Kev did too.
This brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine what that time was like for you and him. What a wonderful thing to write and share. Thank him for me for his service. :)
I cried.
I had no idea Erik's deployment was so perilous. I'm glad he made it back whole and that the two of you can have a long, beautiful life together!
Thank you both for the sacrifices you've made for the greater good.
No words. I mean, this is so beautiful, your love is so beautiful. So happy for you both.
I can't imagine what that's like Steph, your husband changed by the war, by serving his country. It would sort of feel like he was two people.
I'm glad you still see him as him. He's handsome.
you are blessed and lucky for sure and it's beautiful that you recognize that!
xo
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