Ask An Army Wife
Ask An Army Wife : Liz Salvog
The holidays are a joyous time. And the holidays can be a stressful time. What makes things worse is that, maybe, your soldier isn’t home to spend these joyous, stressful times with you.
We daydream sometimes of walking up and knocking on the Army’s door and saying “Umm, excuse me but can I have my husband back now... please?”
Nonetheless, we put on our brave faces and walk into that Wal Mart to do our holiday shopping, with two kids and a list as long as Santa’s. Yes we do!
You think I can’t balance a baby on my hip, push a cart, and pry a Barbie out of my daughter’s death grip? Watch me.
Being home for the holidays is a hard task for us since most of us don’t live close to much family. The thing that I have noticed the most about being in the military is the choice of words most family’s use when describing their holiday plans. “Oh, we are flying back home for the holidays.”
Yes we have a home back where we grew up, but home is where we are now. With or without our spouse around. Home is here, with your family and your tree filled with ornaments made of Popsicle sticks and cotton balls. Home is what we make of it.
True, it will never be the same as where you are from, but that is why we need to make that extra effort to make this home the place where your kids are from. A place they will remember. I, personally, don’t travel at Christmas. As much as I would love to wake up Christmas morning at our family’s house, I want my kids to have a connection to their own home and remember that one day.
Overall, remember that no matter where you are, the holidays are always harder for those soldiers who are so far away from everyone. Let’s keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this season of giving.
Questions:
Should I buy for everyone “back home” even though I won’t see them?
- I would say that is up to everyone individually, but if it were me I would say no. The holidays are special because of the memories that we create, not the amount of presents we can get. Sending a nice card with a picture in it will suffice for those long distance friends and family.
Have any ideas for those friends you don’t have the cash to spend money on?
- Easy! Bake them something. You can create some of the most memorable gifts by thinking of what your friends like to indulge in the most. Cookies, brownies, pumpkin bread, all these things are appealing to the eyes and to the pallet. You can get several gifts out of one batch- creative and economical.
