Dear deployed service member:
Last night, I packed my suitcase for a trip to see my family. The last time you packed your bags, it was for a yearlong trip away from yours.
We’ll soon crowd into our car and head to my parents’ house at the shore. You’ll step into a Humvee and convoy through a combat zone.
Tomorrow I’ll sit down for a Thanksgiving feast at a table surrounded by my loved ones. You’ll join your battle buddies in a dining facility.
At night, I’ll lay my son down in his bed for the night. You’ll lay down your rifle to catch some sleep in between missions.
I’ll check on my children one last time before I head to bed. You’ll blow a kiss to yours through a computer screen.
This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for your service. For being among the 1 percent of Americans willing to part from your family for up to a year and put yourself in harm’s way for me and my family.
Even though you’re thousands of miles away, rest assured your sacrifices don’t go unnoticed. It’s my family’s tradition to say what we’re thankful for at our holiday dinner. This year, I’ll be sure to say how thankful I am for you.
Enjoy the holiday, everyone! And please don't take for granted the gift of spending this All-American day with those closest to you.
I miss you, Andrew. Only a few weeks til we are together again and can start traditions of our own. A few. More. Weeks. Wow!
This totally made me cry!*
ReplyDeleteWOW....Kristina you are amazing! I am thankful for you, the awesome wife my son is going to marry who loves him so much that she unselfishly gives him to the world and supports him while he supports us. We are blessed to have our son be one of the 1% who are allowing us to have our freedom at the expense of being away from the family for a year. Unless you have lived it, you can't understand it. Thank you to AJ and all the men and women who serve our country.
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