"I'll take them for him."

[debra_benge]

I got groceries today.  Not really an event worth a journal, normally.  Today was different.  I was in the check outline, and was making faces at the baby in the cart in front of me.  His Mom and I started talking over his outrageously cute giggles, and I learned her husband is leaving for Iraq about a week after my husband leaves for Afghanistan.  Again, not usually an event worth journaling about, living in a military town.

Here's where it got interesting.  The check-out clerk said, "Tell your husband thank you from me for serving our country!  And thank you to you, for supporting him and making it possible for him to go over.  You have my prayers."

The woman said, "I'll take your thanks.  But don't pray for me.  I know I'll be fine.  I'll take them for him.  Save all your prayers for our soldiers.  They need them more than I do."

Those words hit me in a way words haven't in a while.  Her confidence in herself was something I don't hear much.  Most of the military wives I hear are always saying, "I don't know how I'll do it!!"  This woman knew how she'd do it.  She knew she could. 

That calm acceptance and reassurance was amazing to see.

The clerk said then, "Well, I'll throw in a word or two for you, too, anyway.  Your husband is a lucky one, to have a wife that is willing to simply back him up and will take care of things until he gets back."  Then she shocked me by saying to me, "I heard what you were saying, too, and your husband is one of the lucky ones, too.  Our troops need more wives like you two."

I had to tell her that my husband wasn't a soldier anymore, but a civilian now, and going over in a civilian capacity to take care of the computer system that holds the database for all the terrorists.  (Ok, yeah, I had to brag a bit about what my husband does, just because I'm proud as hell of him, and I want everyone around me to know how special my husband is.) 

Her reply?  "It doesn't matter.  He's going over to help protect us here.  He'll have my prayers, too.  You're both special women, supporting special men.  Thank you."

I don't really see anything special about myself.  I support my husband with all my heart and soul, just like hundreds of other women.  I back him up, I hold him up.  I give him a happy, clean, calm home to come home to.  Just like hundreds of other women.  I'm just one of a proud crowd.  My husband is the special one.  He works hard to bring home enough money for me to be able to stay home with our kids.  When he was in Iraq, it was the information that he compiled, the database that he maintained and added to that provided leads to the troops that brought in terrorists.  He helped prevent the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people.  He is a hero in my eyes.  He's the special one.

So, "I'll take them for him."

[MSugarKane]

Aug. 14, 2009 at 6:11 PM

Amen!

[cleanaturalady]

Aug. 14, 2009 at 6:14 PM

 

[WildHouseOfBoys]

Aug. 14, 2009 at 7:55 PM

I knew there was a reason why I opened your post today after months of going without CM!  Our husbands still need this support!  Each of them military and civilian.  Take care love!

[coryfiregrl813]

Aug. 15, 2009 at 12:02 AM

Thank you for sharing!!!