Saying goodbye to my husband was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Watching his ship pull away from shore, knowing we wouldn’t see him again for months, hoping for his safe return — it’s a moment I’ll never forget.

Sometimes, we wonder why we ended up here. Why did we choose this path? What was the reason behind this big step for our family?

PURPOSE.

We chose this military life. To be stronger, resilient, and independent as a family.

It takes a lot of courage, sacrifice, and tears. Sometimes we lose the battles we think we’ve won, both literally and figuratively. But, at the end of the day, there are things that we cannot control, and we let go, knowing we are not alone.

The Reality of Military Deployment

I will probably never fully understand war. But one thing I know for sure is that our service members are out there protecting our country and our future.

This is the time when we need to gather together. A strong, bonded military community is the reason why we are resilient, courageous, and strong-hearted spouses.

But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. With every tearful goodbye before a deployment, military spouses take on an additional mental and physical load. And in the midst of that emotional rollercoaster, we keep going.

Battlefield of the Mind

Military spouses carry the weight of uncertainty. From frequent moves to everyday messes, we have so much on our plates:

• Kids
• Bills
• Home maintenance
• THE HOUSE
• Yard maintenance
• Appointments
• Errands
• Unexpected ER visits
• Vehicles

Military deployments increase that stress. Managing these tasks alone can be overwhelming.

There are so many things running in our minds, so many things we feel like we are behind on. But we have to be at our very best every day. At least I do, for my kids.

But it’s okay not to be okay. That is why we have this strong military spouse community to help us get through the storms.

Military Community When You Need it Most

That’s why I am so grateful for the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA). Providing programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of military families, ASYMCA builds community and offers much-needed military support.

Programs that support families during deployments include:

• Operation Kid Comfort – Volunteers make quilts or pillowcases for children with their favorite pictures of their deployed parent. Kids love these, and it makes a hard situation a little easier with something to hold.
• Operation Hero – This free after-school program builds resilience, helping kids positively adjust to the hardships of military family life and offering homework support.
• Operation Camp – These fun and educational summer day camps foster connection and confidence, helping kids navigate challenges for a lifetime.

Connection is vital in our day-to-day lives, but even more important during a deployment. Military resources can help.

Love Across Time Zones

We are several weeks into this deployment, and the time difference grows more noticeable each day. Finding time to connect when the kids are awake or not busy is almost impossible.

Being away from your spouse is the hardest thing to do, the hardest feeling to ever feel every single day.

Love knows no limits. We may fall short sometimes, we feel like we are not being seen or appreciated, but know that those feelings will pass. Nothing stays the same forever. It’s a reminder that we also need to take care of ourselves.

Finding Comfort in Waiting

It is hard to find yourself looking outside your window thinking, “What should I do while my spouse is gone?” With kids, it is even harder. I am very blessed to have my mom with me on this journey of waiting. I was able to go back to work, finding peace and comfort in the predictability of my days. It is not easy to find something that will make your heart happy. Working with people gives me a reason to be grateful. Like I always tell them, “Working with them is my source of joy.”

You don’t have to work with other people to discover joy. Finding comfort and happiness for yourself is the goal. It may be finding a new hobby, getting a new pet, building your community, or traveling.

Don’t get stuck waiting — live life as it should be.
Find joy and happiness in waiting.

Loving and taking care of yourself is important. It heals you. You become the best version of yourself, and you smile even brighter.

Never Alone in this Military Journey

Military spouses do not have to face these challenges alone. There are many military resources just waiting for you — ASYMCA is one of them. Not only for parents but for our children, too.

The Armed Services YMCA is a constant source of military support and comfort for families like mine. If you’d like to support the programs and services that provide stability for military families during deployments and beyond, donate today.

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