Before Martha Washington became the first First Lady of this country, she was equally well known as the General’s wife. In this role, she enjoyed a privileged position, yet she was never aloof. She is said to have spent much of her time with the other officers’ wives. They knitted socks, patched garments and sewed shirts for destitute soldiers. They also provided medical aid, comforted the dying, and supported widows of fallen soldiers. Martha leveraged her high-level contacts in the civilian community, to collect cash donated by upper-class women, and used it to purchase more linen to sew over 2000 shirts for soldiers. She was the prototypical military wife and her actions would resonate for hundreds of years.
My own story couldn't be more different. I am a most unlikely military spouse. While I am busy as a bee most days, I don't sew shirts, knit socks or provide medical aid (I can't even stand the sight of blood!). I do, however, keep our household going whenever my husband is called upon to deploy to a war zone. I keep our furry children in line whenever their favourite playmate is not home, and all the while manage to navigate the publishing world. Not to mention all the small and big problems life can throw at you, are taken care of in a timely manner.
Want to know more about my tumultuous life? I actually wrote two books about it: My Afghanistan Campaign Diary: Views of a Military Spouse and Beyond Afghanistan: More Views of a Military Spouse. These two heartstring-pulling wartime memoirs openly describe our family's day-to-day lives before, during and after my husband's latest deployment. But, enough about me...
To all my fellow military spouses out there: Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! You deserve a standing ovation for everything you do, and I sincerely hope you'll be able to enjoy the day!
My own story couldn't be more different. I am a most unlikely military spouse. While I am busy as a bee most days, I don't sew shirts, knit socks or provide medical aid (I can't even stand the sight of blood!). I do, however, keep our household going whenever my husband is called upon to deploy to a war zone. I keep our furry children in line whenever their favourite playmate is not home, and all the while manage to navigate the publishing world. Not to mention all the small and big problems life can throw at you, are taken care of in a timely manner.
Want to know more about my tumultuous life? I actually wrote two books about it: My Afghanistan Campaign Diary: Views of a Military Spouse and Beyond Afghanistan: More Views of a Military Spouse. These two heartstring-pulling wartime memoirs openly describe our family's day-to-day lives before, during and after my husband's latest deployment. But, enough about me...
To all my fellow military spouses out there: Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day! You deserve a standing ovation for everything you do, and I sincerely hope you'll be able to enjoy the day!
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