Unsung Heroes

Please... don't fall out of your seats.  I know it's been a good while since I've posted.  I was awarded a scholarship to study Medical Transcription, and have been fully immersed in school for the last few months.  Tonight, though, I dictated something different than pathology or SOAP notes.  This dictation was related to my duties as a mom.

Subject: To Dad

I want you to be here. To come back from work at the Coast Guard.
Just come back. Until I say so.

Love,
Cxxxx

First of all, I have to say that these kids are so resilient.  They deal with weeks/months of Dad being gone, and weeks/*hopefully months* of him being home.  The adjustment that we adults face is nothing compared to their little worlds being shaken constantly.  I greatly admire their willingness to bend.  They do their best to hitch up their pants and go about their business, and sometimes do a better job at it than me.  

As a parent it is so hard to see your children hurting, but at the same time, it is nice to see the healthy reaction of wanting to talk to Dad about it.  Instead of harboring ill feelings or resentment, he'd rather let his daddy know that he misses him... Well, and that he's to come home until he's granted liberty from his offspring.  

Here's what I told my sweet boy, and what I believe completely:  Our children - not just mine and my husband's - but all military children are heroes.  My kids hold their dad in the highest regard; right up there with Batman.  He is a superhero out to help save lives and bring justice to the world.  In truth, THEY, too, are heroes.  They aren't putting their lives on the line directly, or trying to protect our coastline, or any of the number of things that our servicemen and women do daily.  No, they willingly share their parent, their mom or dad, in order to help others.  

So, whether you call yours a Coastie brat, or darling little one, I urge you to tip your hat.  The sacrifice that these little guys and gals make is a big one, and it's not to be overlooked.