I started my walk a little late today but got so much done yesterday that I just wanted to take the time to be alone to think about my upcoming renewal ceremony, listen to music and focus on those things that cause me to reflect but also bring excitement and happiness.

I did my normal 1 1/2 miles today and while I walked I found myself pondering yet again how I was making it through the weekend without my spouse. I have to say even though I did get a little lonely last night, I made it through. 

My husband called to check in last night and he told me that he had announced during one of their many leadership meetings that we would be renewing our vows. He asked them all to take out a pad of paper and write down the date. September 10th 2011. He said after he verbalized the date, several of the faces started to look at him puzzled and some amazed. He looked at them during that time and said "yes... we are renewing our vows the day before the 10th anniversary of the day that life changed for all of us".  I thought about that a lot this morning before and during my walk but before I left for my walk I stumbled across a song that I hadn't heard in years but truly helped me to know I wasn't alone in my Journey. It's called "A Soldiers Wife" 

It was a song written and performed by "Roxie Dean". The girls in our Family Readiness Unit had the wonderful opportunity to meet her and had a wonderful visit while our soldiers were deployed during round 1. What was great was that she wanted to hear about all of our stories and even sat to listen to us sing my song "They Believe" for her. It was a truly great moment that I will never forget but more than anything, the thing that sticks with me the most was the absolute truth in the song that she wrote and how most of us were living out everything she wrote about it in her song. If you take the time to listen to what she's really saying, it's all about what it's like to be left behind and how "Military Wives MUST be strong alone". 

Since I find it difficult to summarize in a few paragraphs all the feelings I have been processing today, I will leave you with this... I think the reason I am taking this renewal and commitment to live as a "Military Wife" so serious is because of what I already know and have lived through. My commitment to officially accept that as my new way of life does not come lightly and for all the reason verbalized by Roxie in her song. A Soldiers Wife

Lesson for the day: Big one and it's that I CAN make it on my own and move forward. I can also look back at a time when life was challenging and still see those small "snapshots" of true happiness and togetherness that comes from being around those that are on the journey with you...

Wishing you true happiness and light!

Until next time,

Laura D.