MORE Military Wife Pride

As you may or may not be able to tell, I am simply furious at the chicken person who left the anonymous comment on my last post. The idea that a military wife should not express pride in what she and her husband do is just preposterous! Here's the thing. Some people contribute to the betterment of society. That includes military servicemembers and their families. It also includes police, firefighters, teachers, medical professionals, victims' advocates, watchdog groups, people who rock sick babies in hospitals, people who knit blankets for cancer patients, and countless others. Every one of those people has the right to be proud of themselves. They can say "I did something today to make the world a better place."

There are other people out there who don't necessarily go out of their way to improve society, but are nonetheless grateful for those who do. For example, before I had children, I was a special event planner. I am sure that my job made the world a bit more interesting for a few moments, but it didn't actually HELP anyone or anything. However, I have ALWAYS been very aware of those amazing people who do--and I not only do I appreciate them, I try to go out of my way to tell them.

And finally, there are the third type of people. The ones who not only don't contribute, the don't even realize how good they have it in life. Sipping lattes and cursing at the nightly news does not a humanitarian make. What kind of person even has the TIME to sit on their ass and surf the web, find a blog about a family they've never met (and if I am very lucky--never will) and make rude and offensive comments? I think it is a person who feels quite guilty in the comfortable little sheltered life that they lead. Any reference that might indicate that someone else does MORE than they do embarrasses them, and so they are quick to go on the offensive, as was the anonymous commenter.

So, let me just say this. I have a friend that runs marathons to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If she wore a Tshirt that said "Last week I raised $5,000 for cancer research--how are you helping?" What would be my response? First of all, I would say that anyone who runs a marathon needs to invest in a good car--but, other than that--I would say: Oh my gosh! That is so awesome! You are an amazing person to be willing to do something that difficult to contribute to a cause!

I'm not willing to run a marathon. Not for cancer research, not for free chocolate--not even if a bear was chasing me. I have no problem admitting that she can do something I can't, and that I might benefit from it. I am impressed, I am appreciative, and I would never be a rude, insensitive, whiny bitch about it (especially not an anonymous one).

So--to the anonymous poster--if you're feeling guilty, go volunteer at a shelter or build a house with habitat for humanity, or just teach a kid to ride a bike--but stay the hell away from my blog. You're not welcome here as I'm sure several of my Army sisters will attest to (and if you think the Tshirt slogans were rough--you can't IMAGINE what a bunch of military wives are like when we unite behind a common cause, and you can bet your ass every one of them will support me on this!)

Now--here's another cool military wife thing (and another thing that people outside the military will not even be able to understand--much less find funny). I got it from my friend D, who, along with her 1 year old daughter, is anxiously counting down the days until her husband's return from the big sandbox!

Deployments:
1. Deployments = sexual deprivation to the extreme. I'm surprised half those guys haven't gone psycho and castrated themselves to escape the pain. . .

2. Deployments = waiting by the phone 24/7. When they finally do call, it is the best 20 minutes of your life, and mostly consists of "I love you, I miss you, I love you, I miss you, I love you. . .

3. Deployments = expensive packages. Care packages are expensive.

4. Deployments = OH GOD!! I miss him! I miss him! I miss him! I miss him!

5. Deployments = Finding out who your true friends are, when all you talk about is him, and they still stick by your crazy ass!

6. Deployments = The best diet of your life! Half the time, you can't eat because you can't stop thinking of him, and whenever you get stressed, you exercise. . .someone should market the "military wife" diet!

7. Deployments = Pointless. They should just set all the military wives, girlfriends, and moms on any enemy. In 24 hours we would show them who's boss--just to get our men back!

8. Deployments = FOX News. Come on--admit it. You look for him every time it is on!

9. Deployments = Motivation and Pride! This includes wearing the sweatshirts, getting the bumper stickers, telling everyone you meet about the military, etc.

10. Deployments = Proof that our men are the best men alive.