March 22, 2012

The Life Hidden


The funny thing is, you wouldn't know it to look at us.

There are no bumper stickers. No yellow ribbon magnets. No camouflage purses with "proud Army wife" stitched onto them. Uniforms are stuffed into closets and drawers. Boots are shoved behind work shoes and flip flops. A set of dog tags is kept in an old jewelry box. Only once a month does his hair get cut close on the sides to stay within regulations.

You would have to search hard to find it, but somewhere in the recesses, it's there.

His hat rests on the table after he forgot to put it away from the weekend. The picture of us from the ball last spring, perched high on our bookshelf. A schedule of the year's drill dates, with an official looking seal and Army Reserve printed on top, hangs on the side of the refrigerator. The calendar that marks the days or weeks that we know he'll be gone. We'll only add to it as the year goes on and more things are assigned.

We walk this line between two worlds. It's strange sometimes, and hard to explain to others how the military can be such a small part but such a big part of our lives all at the same time. Most of the people Sky greets at work would have no idea that he is a veteran and a soldier. But once every month, I see Clark Kent step out of the phone booth in ACUs.

And just like people admire other professions- teachers, firefighters, nurses- I see a man who has done so much. He's driven through villages with names I can't pronounce, and flown to places I never knew existed. He's done more push-ups and lengthy runs that he could probably ever count. He's slept under the stars on the hood of his Humvee with body armor as a pillow.

Most girls don't get the honor of marrying a soldier. And even though it's usually covered up by the civilian side of life, I see it. And goodness, I'm proud of him.

22 kind comments from you:

Brianna said...

Such an incredible post. You have a lovely way of seeing for living a military life. You get those few women who post the non sense of how horrible it is. But this is what I look for. The greatness you can see in it all. It is a glorious thing and truly an honor to marry someone like this .

Fran said...

LOVE this post! There's nothing like seeing my husband in uniform, he doesn't get it (he hates his ACU's) but my heart gets so full of pride.

Ashley said...

Gahhh! You write so beautifully! I love this post!

Jennifer @ Also Known As...the Wife said...

Love. <3

Kaylee said...

Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing!? Mike was hesitant to wear the ODU's after wearing cammies for 4 years but I'm still so proud... plus he makes any uniform look good. haha

Elizabeth said...

Totally LOVE this post!

Unknown said...

Isn't it a great life between military with a flair of civilian? It's a secret world where only a certain few know about; the reserve weekends, the drills, the military lurking in the closet only. :)

Mine is AD Marine, but trains the reserves so we're not attached to an active base/post. It's like a second life that pays bills and keeps him away for periods of time, but really not talked about or discussed too often. :)

Jenn said...

This is SO beautifully written. :) I think I might have told you in the past that my husband was in the Guard before going active, and you just brought it all back to me! And yes, there is something special about seeing them put on that uniform. (Hottie alert! LOL)

Anonymous said...

i love this! :)

Amanda said...

I LOVE this and your way with words. I dang near cried.. The pride we feel as military wives is crazy. I know exactly what you are talking about. I feel it when I see him in uniform, when someone tells me to thank him for his service, when the national anthem is played... and so many countless other times. Pride in your husband is an amazing feeling, no matter how often they sport the patrol cap in their day to day happenings.

The New Normal said...

Love :)
It's crazy how one minute the Army is at the very forefront of our lives and in another it gets pushed to the back of our minds. That's one of the challenges of living the Guard/Reserve life :) But it's always there - the pride and the memories. Always a part of us. And they do look pretty darn good in those uniforms, don't they?!

Birdie said...

This in an incredible post

Steph said...

Love this post! You're right, it's such a small part and a big part all at once.

the whyte house said...

i wish more reservists saw it this way. being in a very small navy reservists community in the midwest, people don't generally think like that. the pride is seriously lacking. right now i'm learning how it feels to be on one side of the tracks instead of straddling them. it's so odd to go from drill weekends and his civilian job, to full-time navy. granted it's only for the year, but i like it. it's so simple. i'm sure that's not everyone's take on it, but it is for me. i know how much his job means to him & i'm happy to share my husband with the navy.

Kace said...

You have a way with words! Loved this.

Anonymous said...

You know I love how you write, and this is beautiful. I just want to give you a big hug! :)
mj.x

Contemplating Beauty said...

that's so cool hon, I love the way you put this, and worded it all, so from the heart and so so touching. Tell me, how often does he travel? Is he gone at weeks at a time?
Thanks for sharing your heart and a peek of your husbands life with us, and yours in it.

ToniJean said...

We are reserve Marine family, beautiful words!

ToniJean said...

We are reserve Marine family, beautiful words!

Kathryn B said...

Beautifully written. You hit the nail on the head for what it's like living the reservists life. No matter how long they are home doing their civilian job, the army is always in the back of your mind, always one step behind waiting to call upon our husbands to serve their country. It's a world in between active duty and civilian life. It's amazing feeling to be so proud of them, isn't it?

charla beth said...

simply stunning. those military men are somethin else, aren't they?

p.s. you need to write books, my dear. just sayin:)

Post a Comment