The Kindness of the Families Who Serve

"Faith is the first factor in a life devoted to service.  Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible."
― Mary McLeod Bethune 

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the kindness of the brave women and men who serve our country in uniform.  For many of them, their service is made possible by the families they leave behind.

I have a very special friend whose birthday is today.  She has a wonderful husband and three children.  But today, she and her children will celebrate without her husband and their father.  He is in Afghanistan serving our country.

I am in awe of his service.  After 9/11, he joined the Navy Seabees.  He has been on various tours in dangerous parts of the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan.  He doesn't like being away, but he feels a tremendous duty to his country.

Alongside his service is that of his wife, a dedicated mother and teacher who juggles a job and three children while her husband is away.  She does it with a never-wavering smile, a great attitude and a deeply rooted faith.  She is a source of inspiration for her family, her friends and the families of the children she teaches.

I am grateful for the women and men who serve our country.  And I also deeply appreciate the kind service of their families.