I was at the commissary yesterday. I love going there. Not just for the amazing prices (which I had NO idea were so low until I lived so far away from one and have to go to King Soopers every now and again and almost pass out from the prices) .. but it feels like 'home'. Living away from a military base for the first time in .. ohh.. 14 years ... makes me realize what made it special. I miss the military. Did everyone hear that? I really do. I never thought I would say that out loud. I don't miss everything about it. I don't miss the 'hurry up and wait'. I don't miss the constantly being away from your spouse part.
Living out in the 'real world' has been quite the wake up. It's really different out here. I didn't realize how different we really live from the rest of society. Okay, well other than also realizing we don't get paid near enough!
As I walked through the commissary and the exchange yesterday I witnessed tender things. It's those tender things that I miss. A service member waiting for me to cross the parking lot to hold the door for me. Witnessing a young solider giving up his place in line for the mother that's having a hard time with her baby. I think there's a lot of selflessness that goes on in a military community. Something that the world has lost. Thinking back to when I lived on base .. such a sense of unity among us. My neighbors kids were my kids. My kids were my neighbors. There was rarely a knock on the door .. more like our homes were always open - like family. Anyone would do anything for each other. We were all in the same boat .. together..
I know that when another wife's husband was gone we all pulled together and did what was necessary .. from having dinners together or just simply killing a spider. We knew each other and each others needs so well.
I don't deal with blood. Really. I will pass out. Sean isn't always around when the kids get hurt. I had a neighbor .. Julianna - oh such a good friend - that would come to my rescue every single time. Without missing a beat when one of my children would come screaming around the corner bleeding, Julianna would say "go in the house Alana". I would and come out a few minutes later with that child playing happily in the yard all bandaged up.
I miss that.
Now I live in a neighborhood and don't even know my neighbors. No one cares. Really. I love watching the men in my neighborhood shoveling the sidewalks. They stop right at that property line. Heaven forbid we cross over and shovel any further. Maybe they figure they will offend someone by doing that. It's possible.
Well, I take that back .. I did get to know one neighbor pretty well. Her son was in the same Kindergarten class with Eli. That friendship ended quite abruptly when Jackson pointed his toy gun at her 12 year old daughter. "Are you kidding?" just kept going through my mind.
In my 'world' boys band together, shirtless, with an arsenal of weapons in every possible crevice in their pants. Ready for war .. setting up stations ... trading guns, knives and of course the token light saber. "I want to be just like my dad when I grow up ... a Marine". I didn't think there was anything wrong with that.
I miss having all my neighbors home. I miss sitting outside in a lawn chair watching kids and chatting .. because no one worked. I miss going to church and sitting next to another sister who was also missing their husband that Sunday too. I miss not having to explain what my husband does .. cause everyone else's does the same thing. I miss yellow ribbons and combat boots. I miss taps and having to stop your car wherever you are until it's done. I miss the national anthem and standing with your hand over your heart before the movie starts in the theaters. I miss patriotism and kindness and 'yes ma'am's and salutes. It's a world I am familiar with. It's a world I miss.
The military has blessed my life in so many different ways and I really have to be grateful for that. I don't like moving every three years. But in the end I am so grateful. My life has been enriched because of the different friends I have made over the course of the last 7 moves. I realize that I learn something new each time I move and meet people and make friends, close friends, friends that will last a lifetime. How enriched am I?
So .. this one's for you Sean. Thank you for all you do for us. Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for serving our country and being apart of what makes this nation so wonderful. Thank you for being brave. There are thousands out there like you ... actually with you right now. I thank them too...
10 comments:
I've got chills just from reading your touching words...and no it's not from the flu :) It takes a very wise and grateful woman to recognize and appreciate these blessings. Thanks for sharing and reminding me what's really important in life. I'm so proud of Sean and how honorable he is for serving our wonderful Country.
love you :)
Alana -- really there are no words. I had no idea the world you have come from...leaving base to live "outside"...I'm sure its been quite a shock to the system being out here. I just had no idea how much of a shock. I always used to say, "I'm not a drop in kind of gal" (meaning people to my place) but really - some perspective helps. So, know my door is open...and well, that I'm taking that as a personal invitation to "drop in" on you a little more often as well!
You now have me in tears! I have never lived a 'military life' but reading what you wrote makes me wish that I had. You and your family are so incredible, I am so lucky to know you! Oh- and your family picture....AMAZING!
See you soon!
Wow that was so touching. It makes me wish my neighborhood was more like that!
I'll be over with my lawn chair...but we will have to get your friend if there are any bloody mishaps. And we will have to ask Hailey to shovel the drive way if it snows. But only to the property line...right?!
Thanks to Sean for his service!
Wow..........I am sitting here crying like a baby........or a wife and friend that understands and feels exactly how you do. David and I had the rare oppurtunity to go on base today and as we did I literally felt a different atmosphere on base. One that I miss and hold on too like no other. Life is different in "civilian" life, one that I to often don't like.
Thanks for you touching post. I want to copy it and post it on my blog.......really. Miss you so much!!
Awwhhh, Alana, I am sitting here crying. It was so good to read your words and think about this neighobrhood which you referred some to. It's so funny, I've been so wrapped up in trying to "get away" from it...thinking that the hardships of this military life will escape me if I could just get back to the U.S....but truly, you are so right and I love this life we live as well. It is really helpful for me to realize and appreciate all of the little things that we become accustomed to in the military community. Thank you so much for sharing. I am gonna link to my blog if that's okay.....oh, and I won't be gone from blogging for long. Just need to take out some revealing information about my family/kids/husband that I have been feeling uneasy about it past posts. Love you girl!
I never lived on an installation, but when I went to visit Jared before he was deployed I felt that sense of pride you so perfectly explained. There was respect too. I never thought about it, but I was honored to walk next to Jared in his uniform. There really is something special in that and I think it is lost in the "real" world. Too bad. You can always drop in or call me to kill a spider!
5135 McT in the house! It was the perfect place for me to be while Mark was deployed b/c of all my sweet neighbors like you. I miss all of us out there in our mismatched ratty lawn chairs. I miss our crazy Halloweens. I miss not worrying about any weirdos lurking around with bad intentions. Yes, there is much I don't miss, but so much I do, like you. Thanks for this one and Merry Christmas to all the Westers, esp. you Sean out there making us proud.
Oh how I wish you were my neighbor, well, next door neighbor. I would gladly bandage up your kids bloody wounds and would not blink twice when jackson pointed an automatic weapon at my kids! If it helps any, you Alana, have influenced so many people around you here. I know you miss military life, so would I, but we would all miss you so much if you were'nt here. We pray for Sean and thank him also for his selflessness and dedication to a country and freedom we all love. Feel free to pull up a lawn chair anytime!
Post a Comment