It is with a happy heart that I celebrate Veteran’s Day 2013 alongside my husband who, as I often say, is my personal hero. Last year at this time he was serving in Afghanistan and it is wonderful to have him back, whole and healthy. We are truly blessed.
Our blessing is magnified when viewed through the context of all of those who have served so honorably before, some giving their all, and all those who are serving in every branch of our armed forces all around the world today.
About fifteen months ago, my husband said his goodbyes to me, our children, and all of our pets. Naturally, we missed him as he went off to do his job on the other side of the world amid a culture we didn’t really understand. But life went on – for him while he was on duty and for all of us here.
The sense of being a piece of something bigger than yourself is one of the intangibles of the strange, knotted miracle that is being a military family. It’s difficult to explain how the pride we feel for our soldier is intensified by the more difficult moments of being so far apart.
We lost Brody, our oldest greyhound, while my husband was overseas and our children hit new milestones in their academic and professional lives. I wrote eight books while he was gone. We all grew in different ways while we were apart, but it only made us happier to be reunited. And stronger.
One of the reasons I tend to write military heroes, in various career and life stages, is because it’s a subject so close to my heart. My stories are written to entertain, with an eye on the happily ever after, but the heros and heroines in my books usually reflect the integrity, determination, and grit of the service men and women who do so much to protect our freedom.
In short, my husband and the men and women in the armed forces are a constant inspiration to me. It takes honor and courage to make those choices and do what our military men and women do and we need to honor their service. Not just today – but every day.
Whenever you get the chance, thank a Veteran for their service, I know from experience they appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Live the adventure!
