Category Archives: family

Our military family is preparing for re-deployment

Our daughter’s upcoming deployment is just around the corner. Last month was challenging for me. Our daughter had to go through training and had no time to talk to my husband and I. At first I felt like my daughter was already deployed. I remembered that feeling of loss. It’s so strange how you have this feeling, even though you know they are alive and well. The feeling of loss is knowing your loved one will not be with you,day to day.

I began to feel so sad. Knowing my daughter will miss her children activities, birthdays and holidays. I cried, I guess I just had to let it out. Then I began to think, this is temporary and my daughter will return. I picked myself up and said, “What am I going to do to make this situation a positive experience for my family?”

I know what to do, focus on what I can do for my family.

My granddaughters and I have begun to talk about when I will be coming to help out. My husband, Alan and I are still working, so I will be planning on staying for lengths of time with my granddaughters in Arizona. Since my daughter remarried, her husband will now face challenges of being a single parent to my granddaughters. So I will have another person to help support.

One thing I do know, this deployment will be different, but we have each other to get us through it.

My granddaughter is finalist- Military Child of the Year- Air Force

Being a mom was rewarding, but being a grandma is the ultimate! And having others recognize your grandchildren efforts is such an a humbling feeling.

My granddaughter Bailey is a finalist for Operation Home Front – Military Child of the Year. She was selected for her efforts helping military families. Going to Yellow Ribbon events, speaking, blogging on their website http://deployedkids.com and writing their book- Deployed Kids/ How we survived our mom’s deployment

She wanted other militray kids not to be sacred when their parent deploys.

Most military children can not talk about their parents deployment. It’s so hard for kids to talk to others about their loss, it is like a death. Then the feeling of being alone, not having anyone that can support and understand you.

I believe talking with my grandchildren and having them share their fears helps them face the fears. And now my granddaughters are sensitive to others, because of what they have gone through.

There are 20 very deserving finalists for Military Child of the Year- Air Force. Just being a finalist she is a winner to me!

If we start our children out young to see the needs of our society, and to help others, our world would be a better place!

Redeployment- Here we go again!

My daughter received orders she will be deploying again this Spring. We knew this was a possibility but now it’s a reality. What will be different is the children will stay in their home with their step father. They feel it’s best to keep the kids in their own surroundings, and I have to agree. I will commute when they need me to help out. I figure it will be once a month for about a week.

My granddaughters are taking the news well, but the youngest one now 10, doesn’t remember much about the last deployment. The eldest is 14 years old and is very busy with high school and dance. She is happy she can stay in her school doesn’t have to move away from her friends.

I think this could be my next chapter -” Mobile Grandma”. I am still working in the transportation & logistics industry. And volunteering my time to Yellow Ribbon events. In fact this coming weekend I will have my first workshop for military spouses and families dealing with deployment.

My deployment emotions are coming back again. Concerns for my daughter’s safety, the well being of my grandchildren and now hoping my daughter’s husband can handle this. Sometimes, I think redeployment can be worse . I know the feeling of loss and a void in your lives. And on the other hand,I know I can handle it!

I know all military families face what we are about to.

Stay tuned!