Thursday, September 29, 2011

Hurry up and wait...

There are many phrases and quotes in movies, television and music we could use throughout our gut-busting, tear-jerking, thought provoking lifestyle, right?! Especially country music any form or decade of it will have you swimming in tears!  “Crazy…” “You had me from hello…” “I will stand by you, I will help you through. When you’ve done all you can do and you can’t cope.  I will dry your eyes, I will fight your fight..” “American Soldier…” For movies though, my version of the hilarious but truthful Forrest Gump quote is, “The military is like a box of chocolates, you never know what the hell you’re gonna get.” 

As a spouse we never really do know what is going on from one day to the next.  You can’t predict classes that take all day and night, training schedules, field days, or even injuries.   You take the day as it comes and try your best to conform to the military lifestyle motto of “go with the flow.”  This way of thinking also spurred the terms “Hurry up and wait” or “Semper Gumby” in some realms. 

‘Go with the flow’ serves as a sometimes daily reminder to remain as flexible as mentally possible to the military’s demands; quite like a Stretch Armstrong toy.  Am I jogging some memories of those awesome little toys?  Hey!  I may have to look on Ebay now for my kids as hands on training.

So I know what you’re saying, “it’s easier said than done!” I agree it is an ongoing battle to override the urge to plan things.  Typically I am involved in the unit enough to know bits and pieces but not always big things so as wives we rely on our husbands.  Normal and good to go right?!  Well the men normally as habit nod their heads but don’t actually retain any information we’re telling them so by the 3rd time you’ve asked the same question it can easily escalate to you pulling your hair out I know!  I’m a planner by nature and it bugs me to the point of gray hair to not have the knowledge I need in order to plan or know the details to the littlest of things!  So if you feel boxed in or boxed out of things don’t feel bad at all it is completely normal.  Vacations 12 months in advance, setting up a weekend getaway or even plan dinner in advance can be difficult at times.  Keep pulling that Stretch Armstrong doll as a stress object and we’ll get through the craziness together. 

This lifestyle is very demanding and hectic at times but with a great guy by your side, many ladies ‘walkin’ this way’ with ya and the support of a nation we can conquer whatever the military has to throw at us.  We’re proud of our men and would like to see our husbands every now and again ahem ahem sir in charge!  Yet we’re deeply patriotic through and through enough to know we wouldn’t have our lives any other way! 

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