I meant to write about this back when we moved and I first noticed it, and then I got busy, doing … um…. important stuff. Like …well ….. you know, just stuff. Then I wanted to do it in March to actually commemorate the *real* five year anniversary, and then got busy, what with the other …. Um …. Stuff.
So today, on this first day of April, I’m going to address it before another week or month or year slips by.
One of the things I noticed when we moved here to OKC, and I was unpacking our household items, specifically clothing, was that the blue pants that go with Blaine’s dress-blue uniform had dust on them. For some unknown reason (and perhaps we should address this in the comment section because as far as I’m concerned, it’s a topic worthy of an entire debate all to itself) Blaine likes to hang his pants folded over on the hanger. Me? I’m a clip kind of gal, and prefer to hang my pants long ways, clipped from the waist. Well, that’s technically not true. I do fold dress pants over on the hanger, but I hang jeans from the waist, whereas Blaine insists on folding jeans over the hanger, which I tell him takes up way more space in the closet than is necessary but does he listen to me? No, he doesn’t. So what do you think? Jeans, folded, or clipped???
What was I talking about?
Oh, yeah, his dress blue pants. When I took them out of the box the movers had put them in and hung them in his closet, I noticed that the crease, where they lay over the hanger, had dust on it. A pretty substantial line of dust. And I thought, “Holy cow, I must be the worst housekeeper in the world, that his pants are dusty from hanging in the closet.”
And then I thought about it --- wait a second, when was the last time Blaine wore those pants? How long, exactly, had they been hanging in our closet?? See, when our country was declared at war, Congress (or somebody) passed a rule (or something) that all military members were to dress in their fatigues every day, not just Fatigue Fridays, to signify the fact our country is at war.
Blaine has been wearing fatigues since the war started ….. and hasn’t worn his dress blues that entire time …. Which means ….. they’ve been hanging in our closet …… and therefore, we have been at war …………. FIVE YEARS.
You know how I can remember that?
Because Blaine was diagnosed with cancer in February of 2003. He had his first surgery, to remove the initial tumor, in March of 2003. It was a pretty big surgery, and they removed not only the tumor, but his cheekbone, soft palate, hard palate, and teeth as well. So he spent a decent amount of time recovering in the Army hospital in Augusta, and I remember, clear as day, sitting on his hospital bed with him, spoon-feeding him disgusting chicken broth and sneaking in cups of black coffee, watching the television, the night that President Bush declared we were at war.
There was definitely a tension, or maybe just a feeling, in the air ---- we were on a military base, in an Army hospital, surrounded by active duty and veterans, for goodness sake. Of course emotions probably were a little tense, considering these people knew they would be affected.
And I also clearly remember thinking, “This is a big deal. We are at war. I know this is a big deal, in fact, but right now I can’t focus on that because I am focusing on Blaine. I’ll have time to focus on that later.”
Who knew we would have THIS MUCH LATER to focus on it?
And of course, for some, the opposite has happened. So much time has gone by that many have not only lost focus, but it’s faded so far into the background that at times even I will look up at a news report or a magazine article and think, “Oh, wow, that’s right. We’re still at war.”
I’m not sure how I feel about it. The war, I mean. I agree with the people who say they want to see all our troops brought back home safely; that this has gone on too long. I also agree with our friend Gary, who deployed there twice, and who said he felt frustrated that the GOOD that is being accomplished there isn’t being reported to the general public. I agree that we shouldn’t pull out too quickly and stop the forward momentum and progress we've made …. I also feel that at *some* point, shouldn’t the Iraqi people be able to police themselves? Again, with the wishy-washiness, and why you never want me on a jury.
But the one thing I know for sure is that we can’t stop supporting the troops that are there, and the families they’ve left behind. Or stop thinking of them as anything other than heroes, no matter your personal opinion about the war, or how long it is lasting.
As we’re meeting new people here, many are surprised to find out Blaine is active duty. They think we’ve returned here to retire …. Or, they just didn’t know us before, and seem surprised to realize (or remember) that there is a military base only half an hour from where we live. There is often this pregnant pause …. Then a sort of bewildered, “So, you’re actually IN the military? Now?? Like, active duty???”
Often, that is followed with, “Have you been to Iraq yet?”
Bottom line, Blaine hasn’t been to Iraq, or Afghanistan, or Qatar (sp?), or any place like that, because he has/had cancer. He is considered non-deployable due to his medical needs, and although he can travel for the military, it won’t be outside of the continental United States. He can still work, still do his job and do it well, but he needs to have access to the kind of health care that they can’t provide in a tent in the middle of a sandbar in Baghdad.
He doesn’t want to explain all that to total strangers, though, so he normally just says a simple “no”. The other day, however, we got the strangest reaction. The lady looked him right in the eye, after he said no, and said, very emphatically, “Good for you …. GOOD for you!”
And I thought ….. “Huh????” Did she mean good that he’d been lucky and didn’t have to leave his family? Because that implies the men and women serving over there are UNlucky? When in actuality, they are accomplishing great things. Or, good because she disagrees with the war and thought he was making some sort of political statement by not going? (Like he would have any say in the matter under different circumstances???) What, exactly, did she mean? I don’t think she was being malicious in any way, but I wasn’t quite sure what she meant.
His name has come up twice to be deployed. Both times, he’s been turned down, passed over, whatever you want to call it. Both times, that means someone else has had to go in his place. He’s not happy about that, but we both understand why its necessary. And sure, I’ll admit, I’m glad he’s stayed home, but would I trade? Trade his having cancer for a six month or twelve month or shoot, even twenty-four months stint overseas? Seriously? I’d have his bags packed so fast he wouldn’t know what hit him. Because five years is a long damn time to be messing with the treatment and side effects from the treatment of cancer.
It’s also a long damn time for our country to be at war, and I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent about Blaine.
So today, April 1st, as we officially enter the first month of the sixth year of the war, please take just a minute to say a silent thank you to the men and women who have served, who are currently serving, and who will be serving in Iraq. Again, no matter your personal opinions, they are making huge sacrifices, and there is no end in sight.
I guess sometimes it takes a little dust to remind us of what’s important.
48 comments:
Thank you!
And while my pants hang over the hanger, the long way is probably much better. I should switch over to that. When I reorganize my closet. In the year 2525.
I do believe that we ought to thank our servicemen and women much more... regardless of what side people are on about this war, these are people, humans, they are our boys and girls someone's wife, mom, brother, dad, sister, child, etc.
God bless.
Maybe it is because we live only 30 minutes from Ft. Hood and interact with military families everyday, but we do hear the good things coming out of Iraq.
We know a number of soldiers who have gone twice, and one who lost his life and left behind a wife and new baby that he only saw once. She to this day says that he died doing what he loved, protecting the citizens of our country, and it irritates me to no end when others don't appreciate the sacrifice that our soldiers and their families make for our freedom.
I don't have an opinion about the length of the war, because frankly I don't know the whole story. I only hear what is on tv and what soldiers can share with us. That does not leave me with enough information to make an informed decision.
Thank you Blaine for your continued service in our military and to your family who makes it possible for you to help protect us. Every job is important, here and overseas!
Tonight I am grateful for all those who serve. Both abroad and here. And I pray for all of them and the families who love them and support them in their calling.
May God Bless all of you.
1. Folded
2. Five years later it's still a huge deal and I still have mixed feelings, but for the 3000+ families who have lost a loved one, my feelings are not mixed at all. They are incredibly grateful and very, very sad!
Dixie
I always say Thank you to men or women in uniform when I see them. Even my 4 yr old grand-daughter thanked a man in uniform at a military display in Louisville. He asked if he could put her up on the tank and have his picture taken with her. That moment was priceless.
Five years ... I did not realize that.
Thank you Blaine again for serving our country.
Pants...hung long on clip hangers or whatever you call them!!
Kristie..great post tonight...as always!!!
Wow Kristie---- I never even thought about the fact that clipping pants instead of hanging them can save space........ that makes SO much sense!
Seriously, wow.... has it really been so long since Bush declared war.... At the risk of being a copycat, I TOTALLY agree with your position on the war, TOTALLY. I would venture to say that the majority of people in the US (at least the ones I've spoken to) are just as "wishy-washy" as us..... I recently watched a parade and saw some troops who just returned from Iraq..... many of them looked like babies, just babies..... I can't imagine having to see my husban, son or daughter off to Iraq.... just can't imagine it. My brothers were in Operation Desert Storm, and that was sheer hell for our family, even though it seemed so much "safer" than this war. It's a scary world now, so much scarier than it was in the past. Thank God there are people like Blaine who are willing to sacrifice their lives so we can live ours freely. Thank God.
Nice post, I can't believe that it's been five years. Thank you to Blaine for serving our country.
Have you seen the cover of this weeks Newsweek? It's a photo of a pregnant woman's stomach with the headline "Womb for Rent: The secret life of surrogate mothers" as soon as it came in the mail today I thought of you. Then I read the asterisk (the text followed the contour of the stomach) "And a surprising number are military wives"
I can't comment on the story because I haven't read it yet, but thought you'd might like to check it out.
Also, I sometimes comment on your site, but I've never commented on your surrogacy story. I just wanted to tell you that I'm really enjoying, so thanks for writing it.
Such a sensitive topic...
There's no way I would hang my jeans folded... :) (No, really. I wouldn't)
As far as the war goes.... first I have to say, I have nothing but respect and awe for our service men and women. They do not get the respect that they deserve. I think, unless you experience it, one can't really understand the sacrifices they make.
I generally consider myself as a crazy liberal, and I think this war is a perfect example of what happens when irresponsible people are given too much power. But, I'm also a strong believer in cleaning up one's messes. We caused this, we need to fix it. Or at least do everything we can to try to fix it.
I'm sorry I have the need to give my opinion on the war. It just makes me so angry that we are in this situation. We have one shot at life, and 4000+ American lives have been cut short, and who knows how many Iraqis. It's just so sad, and so unnecessary.
On a completely unrelated topic... I have a subscription to Newsweek, and this week's cover story is.. "Womb for Rent: The Complex World of Surrogate Mothers* *And, surprisingly, a lot of them are miliary wives." I haven't read the article yet, but thought of your story when I saw the cover.
Always sending many prayers,
Enya from MA
I remember hearing President Bush say that we would be at war for years - not months or weeks. I thought he meant, like, 2 years - 3 tops. Thank you to all military families. You've been working at this for a long time.
As far as pants go, I hang khakis (folded) on those hangers that hold 4 pairs at a time.
Jeans, I actually fold and put on a shelf so that I can save my precious little closet space for the "wrinklables."
Clipping takes two steps. At my age I fold them over the hanger so I don't waste any precious time...and because my closet is set up with only a certain amount of space for long stuff. I hang dressess and a couple of robes there.
My son-in-law who is a Master Sgt in the Army just got back from his second tour in Iraq. In the last 5 years he has sandwiched them with two full years in Korea. He knows he will be going back to Iraq and he's fine with that. He says it's his job. When I say "fine", I mean he knows why he chose the Army for a career. He has always understood what that could mean.
Five years is a long war. I agree that the Iraqi people have to take control eventually. My SIL said the difference in his two tours of duty in Iraq were like night and day. He said he was amazed at the progress. He also pointed out the fact that we have been in Korea for over 50 years...and while the South is free..it may not be if we were to leave. This is a sad fact. There are no cut and dry answers.
So I thank the troops daily...and I also live near Fr. Hood so I see a zillion uniforms a day around here...men, women, mothers, fathers. God bless them for keeping us safe.
Now I have to go check my closet and consider a redo..
Thank you Kristi for taking the time to remind us the war is still happening-I have often wondered over the last 2 years while my family has dealt with pre-deployment, training, deployment, a wounded soldier and now the end of medhold and active duty-if the average american thinks about the war even once a day. I look back a realize with some shame I know I didn't until it personally affected me. I know my husband feel that if the war ended by us just pulling out that what they have accomplished in Iraq, those wounded and those who have sacrificed their lives-that it would be a slap in their face. I hate the war but do support what the soldiers are trying to do and am proud to say my husband served.-Again thanks for bringing up the topic.
Tracy
Http;//pricelessjourney.blogspot.com
I think the confusion is something like this: where you say
"Putting aside larger questions of the war, people are risking their lives"
other people say
"I know people are losing their lives - but that, by itself, doesn't justify the war. In fact, it makes it even a LESS justifiable war."
----
I tried an exercise with my son (4) last night. He said that he _really_ wanted a transformer and I said "That's interesting. I want a pony. Do you think that me _wanting_ the pony is going to make it pop into existence?"
and he said 'no' and laughed at me. but we tried the experiment anyway. I closed my eyes and said "I really really want a pony" and we waited to see if a pony would show up.
No pony.
.... people are risking (and losing) their lives, sure. But that doesn't, by itself, mean that they've lost or risked them for a GOOD CAUSE. You can't just close your eyes and wish for a pony.
Amen! No matter how you feel about the war the men and women who serve are heros. The price they and their families pay is high and they do it willingly.
My husband and I both retired (AF) before the war so we didn't have to deploy...but we certainly understand what it does to families.
Our family mirrors yours - I clip my pants (although sometimes from the cuffs instead of the waist) and Wes folds his over the hanger. Maybe it's a guy thing.
Aloha.
I myself am a military wife, we are stationed here at Ft Hood, my husband just returned home in Feb from his 2nd 15-month deployment and is already gearing up for the next one, We as a family have a hard time dealing with this but i am one to stand and say how proud i am of him and all the military men and woman. They put there lives on the line EVERYDAY so we can be safe. and Kristie thank Blaine for all his does as well cause not only do we need troops over there they are MUCH needed here too and again thank him for that!!!
ok and now onto the pants we hang this over the hanger and for his class A's hes one funeral detail so has had to wear them quiet a bit lately :(
1. Folded. Because the other would involve either finding clips, keeping clips or buying new hangers.
2. As a military member with a husband who as not deployed either, I think of our troops everyday. I mainly just want everyone brought home safely and families reunited. Sooner rather than later, but I as well don't know when that should be. Thanks for always hitting the nail right on the head and keeping us thinking!
tears.. i have tears...
Thank you, Blaine, for serving our country.
Mary Burns in Albany NY
Thank you for your post, Kristie! My husband is currently deployed to Iraq with the National Guard and will be gone a year in June, and isn't expected home until sometime in September. Blaine is always in our prayers, as is the rest of your family. As far as the jeans go, I fold mine on the shelf in my closet!
Reader since the CB days de-lurking here...I'm an atrocious commenter but am trying to get back on track.
I echo every single thing you said about the war. To make some very long stories very short, let me just say that I am currently doing a semester abroad and have been outside the US for about 2 months. I'm in Australia, which is a wonderful country that I am having a fantastic time in, but being so far away has made me realize how truly grateful I am to be an American. So THANK YOU to Blaine and all the servicemen and women who fight for us every day - and thank you to their families for the sacrifices they make.
And clearly, I'm a freak because not only do I clip the jeans, I fold them lengthwise and then clip the bottoms together instead of clipping at the waist.
I love the last line you left us with "sometimes it takes a little dust to remind us what's important". It is hard to believe it has been 5 years. And while I don't have any relatives or close friends myself who are in the military, there are many families from our church who have family serving. Thank you to Blaine for his service and to you and the kids for being a military family and going through all you go through.
And by the way, my dress pants get hung by the waist and my blue jeans are folded over the hanger.
Briana
First of all, my jeans are folded and shoved in a drawer. My dressier pants for work are clipped on a pants hanger (4 sets of clips), and I clip them from the legs, not the waistband. I only clip my kids' pants from the waist. No, I have no idea why I do that; i've never really thought about it.
After reading your post, I wanted to share with you my experience in a 4th grade classroom yesterday. The topic was the Revolutionary War. After explaining for the 3rd time that no, the Revolutionary War and World War I were NOT the same thing, and that they happened 150 years apart, I finally listed all of the wars that the US has been involved in since it became a country. My top Calgon-take-me-away moment? When several kids in the class did not know that the US was currently fighting a war in Iraq. What? How could you NOT know?
On behalf of myself, my family, and those clueless suburban children that I sometimes try to teach, thank you to Blaine and to all of the military families for all you do to keep our country safe.
Sue
God Bless America and all who serve.
About the jeans...I must be your laziest reader. I fold mine into fourths and stack them on one of the shelves in my wardrobe. I stack all of my clothes on shelves because I hate jamming clothes into drawers! It is no wonder that my children don't much care for putting away their clean clothes, either!
Bridget
Well said.
My pants hang over the hangar because that is how the dry cleaner hangs them and I'm certainly not going to redo all their hard work.
Kristie,
I hang - husband folds. And, again woman proves smarter than man:)
Seriously, thank you ALL!!!
My father was retired military and deployed several times(all conflicts or remote assignments). My brother just missed being drafted to Vietnam. My Uncles and grandparents have almost all served and one died in WWII in France. My husband was in the AF when I met him and just missed deployment in Desert Storm. We have one son who thinks he wants to go into the military.
Now, I come from a long line of servers and am proud of each of them. But, I have to admit it isn't my first choice for MY baby and only son. I'm embarrassed to say that. There was a time in this country when it was expected almost that the male children would serve in the military at least for a while. It was encouraged and even "hoped for" as some badge of honor for them and their families. So, when he mentions it(he's 11 1/2), I smile and tell him I love him and that he will be great at what ever he chooses.
Personally, on this particular war, I think we should have had bombers in the air Sept. 11, 2001 before the second plane hit the second tower. We should have turned the entire area (Iraq) into one big HOT piece of glass that day. Would "innocent" people have died? Yep. So did ours. Would we still be there? Nope. Would others think long and hard before attempting to commit acts of terrorism against our people or allies? Yep.
This is where EXTREMISTS have the edge over Americans (and most of our allies). The extremists are still BOLDlY WILLING TO DIE for what they believe. And, they teach their families from birth that it is an HONOR to do so. They are counting on us "folding" under that kind of pressure. And, frankly, most of the time, sadly, we do.
I know mine isn't a popularly held view and that's okay with me. But, thanks to so many military and former military, I still live in a place where I can express it anyway.
Again, THANK YOU ALL !!!!!
Becky
Hi, good post. I'm probably what you would call a whishy, washy liberal, I was initially against American and UK troops going to War, but I can understand why somebody has to stand up and help and I am full of admiration for the men and women in service, where ever they are posted, because they do a job and take responsibilities that I am not brave enought to do.
Here in the UK, were also not informed enough of the "good" our troops are doing, we hear much more of the negative news. I would like to hear more of the good we are doing every day, instead of the newspaper headline blazing how many soldiers/civilians died in conflict today in Basra.
Wouldn't it be amazing 5 years from now if Iraq was a prosperous self governing country, with new amenity infrastructures, housing, enough medicines in the hospitals, new schools - in all a safe place. As an ordinary civillian, I don't know where to start thinking how that can happen, but I trust our troops are there helping to clear the way forward.
Folded over a pants hanger - never a wire hanger as that leaves creases!
I think about and pray for all of our military service men and women and their families every day. I also thank any military personnel I see. My thanks go to Blaine for his service and your family for their support of him and our other service personnel.
Thank God we have the freedoms we do and thank God for all those who sacrifice so that we may enjoy those freedoms.
Hazel in Texas
thank you for your note about thanking the military!! I think that we, as Americans, sometimes forget to thank God and our soldiers for our unbelievably ordered and safe country. God Bless our troops and keep up the good work!!
First we do the fold over thing here. Of course I only have 2 pairs of jeans that actually fit so they are usually not in the closet.
I have told you this before, not sure if you remember though. But to anyone who happens to read this THANK YOU for PROTECTING and SERVING what would this country be without you, I hope to never find out.
Karen your friend from MN
Thank you to all the men and women out there serving our country in whatever capacity. It takes special people to do what they do, and they deserve our utmost respect and support no matter what ones political views on the war may be.
That said, I usually toss my semi-folded jeans in my dresser drawer! If I do hang them in the closet I fold them over the hanger like Blaine does.
Wow, FIVE YEARS? I think you are right on that for most people, it is a blurb on the news a couple times a week at best. It has really taken a backseat to normal life for so many. It's sad that people forget that we enjoy our "normal lives" because of the service members. Our local VA hospital has a banner that reads "The Price of Freedom is Seen Here".
I am a former military wife (desert storm) and while I do not agree entirely with our military actions around the world, I believe that we need to finish what we've started. I think we have a bad habit of leaving things unfinished. I hope and pray that it is finished soon.
**********************************
As for pants, lol. Dress pants get folded over. Jeans get folded and stuffed in a drawer. I'd like to say it's a closet space issue, but it's a plain ol' lack of regard for jeans, lol. I really do love my jeans, really. They don't get dusty in the drawer. That's my new story!
Sheri in CA
Thank you for giving us such an honest insight to what I’m sure many military spouses are feeling. I was against the war on Iraq since the beginning (I wanted us to put more focus on the Afghanistan/Pakistan Front), I am completely supportive of ALL our service men and women. Thank God for all of them because if I was my own country, I’d surely be under the rule of a dictator since I’d be willing to lay down and obey to avoid conflict!
But no matter how brave they are, I don’t think any of them would be willing to trade places with Blaine and fight his cancer instead of the insurgents. True bravery is putting your fate in someone else’s hands through multiple surgeries, treatments & recoveries while keeping your “sergeant face” on for your family so that they follow you along thinking everything will be just fine. That is a true hero.
Kristie:
A timely post. Just this week the remains of Sgt. Matt Maupin were found in Iraq after he had been missing for 4 years. His family has been the pillar of strength and dignity throughout their whole ordeal - and they still are. Even though they were told on Sunday that their son was dead, they still participated in the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day parade and ball game on Monday because they felt it was important to get their message out of "Never forget." I know that I and my children will be in the crowd to welcome Matt home, whenever he can be laid to rest.
Thanks to all the military - past/present, active/inactive.
Diane in Cincinnati
I think it's silly to hang jeans. I wouldn't want some yuppie crease on them. They get folded and stacked. Dress pants get hung by the cuffs, not the waist. If you fold them over the hanger, you will get an unwanted crease across the knee. Hanging by the ankles keeps the seems lined up and the creases straight and perfect. My husband wears dress pants to work every day, so keeping the creases where they belong saves me a lot of ironing.
Pants are folded - I'm lazy and don't have clip hangers.
Thank you to all the military. I'm against this war, but completely support the troops and families.
Cindy
Virginia
I'm kind of wishy washy too and I share your views on the war. And while I don't personally know anyone who is serving in Iraq I am eternally grateful to the men and women and their families who sacrifice so much for our freedom. It is a calling and there are no words to say how thankful we are. Blaine and others who serve our country are true heroes and deserve nothing but thanks and respect.
Ummm, jeans don't get hung up in the closet. You fold them and put them in a drawer. Other pants get folded over the hanger, though. Then again, we have one of those closet systems where the pants only have half the length of the closet, so clipped from the waist wouldn't work.
As for war, I'm a wishy-washy mess, too, but definitely appreciate those individuals and their families whose lives are seriously impacted as they serve. Who'd a thunk it? .....five years.....
Your post caused tears to prick my eyes. Thank you for such good writing. My daughter is in the Navy. She's been to Guam, Iraq, and Kuwait. She's back in Calif now and her next posting will be Okinawa. Thank you God. I have to say that the months she was in Iraq were just horrible for us as a family. She was very 'broken' when she came back, but was afraid to talk to anyone about it for fear of it going on her record. She is doing much much better now, and Kuwait, though they were all compounded, was much more bearable, not being a war zone etc.I thank every single military person I see...we have a small training base here on the Big Island of Hawaii, so military convoys are pretty commonplace. I notice alot of high fives and shakas(a Hawaiian hand sign)are given to the young men and women. I hope it makes them feel respected and good about what they're doing.
Oh, I hang pants over a coathanger :) But when I run out of coathangers, I fold (husband's)pants in half, try to get the creases straight, then pin them on the clothesline until a hanger becomes available. Note to self: "Buy more hangers. You sound pathetic!" lol
My pants hang over the hanger. The clip system... I dunno... seems like the bottom of the pants is just too close to the floor of the closet... er, that is, to the crap piled up on the floor of the closet.
Um...okay. All my pants, including jeans, are folded in half & hung over the hanger (and yes, I'm a woman). UNLESS, I actually have so much clean laundry at one time, that the hangers are all full. In that case, jeans are folded & put on the closet shelf. I'm not sure I understand the clipping theory. I am picturing a hanger with clips (yes, I do have those), but that would mean the full length of the pants is hanging in the closet. I don't know, I think I have too much crap on my closet floor, I have a dresser in the closet too, to be able to do it your way.
In terms of the war, I am wishy washy as well. Just so very grateful to all the troops & their families for doing what they do so that we can go about our day to day lives. God Bless America!
@BECKY: "Personally, on this particular war, I think we should have had bombers in the air Sept. 11, 2001 before the second plane hit the second tower. We should have turned the entire area (Iraq) into one big HOT piece of glass that day. Would "innocent" people have died? Yep."
Oh my god.
You do realise that Iraq had NNNNNNNNNNNOTHING to do with the World Trade Center attacks?!?!
Jeans are folded and put in a drawer in my house. If you're a 13 or 10 year old boy, I have no idea what happens to them until they show up in the laundry room.
God bless you and your family for serving, for your patience and endurance and commitment.
I hang them on clips by the cuffs, but I'm a freak.
Thank you for your service, Blaine, and to all the other families sacrificing for the rest of us, hats off!
Wow, that's a good post. It's an interesting view on the war. Thanks for bringing the humanity back into it.
And jeans, folded on a shelf. Dress pants, hung, folded over a hanger. I need the bottom half of my closet for my cedar chest/laundry basket/bookshelf. It takes up too much vertical space otherwise.
I just wanted to mention that the current issue of Newsweek has a pretty substantial article about surrogacy and military wives. I would be very interested to hear your take on it.
You people honestly hang up JEANS in the CLOSET? I fold them and put them in a drawer. Or on a shelf. Or in the corner in a stack. Never ever have I considered HANGING them.
I don't see too many military personnel here in Pennsylvania, but when I do I always make a point of saying thank you. This war has gone on far too long.
OK I clip dress pants but fold jeans LOL! I figure if I clip the dress pants then I dont have to iron them, & I NEVER iron jeans so who cares :)
My husband is in Iraq, 15 month deployment that just started the 1st of March, if I'm lucky he'll be home in June 2009. I have met some new friends who actually told me that before I came into their lives they never realized how much this war can affect peoples lives, ie: MINE being an Army wife. I'm surprised that they never really gave it any thought or even thought about the TROOPS who are over there sacrificing so much. I think about them everyday & will continue to until this war is officially over, not just until my husband comes home. :) I appreciate all troops even the ones who havent deployed, we ALL make sacrifices. Thanks for another thought provoking blog ;)
What an amazing and poignant post.
Having read your caringbridge site and your blog for so long I couldn't help but pause and think what that "dust" meant.
Kind of takes my breath away...
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