Well meaning people.

We have a wide and far spread network of friends. I love my friends. I just wish sometimes they could 'get it.'

I consistently get emails from them. That's a good thing right? Well yes and no. They are pretty much standard short one line emails. They almost always go like this:

"Just wanted to say hi and check on your hubby. All is well here."

I always respond with "He is doing well, all is good."

What I wish they could get is, that once in a while, those people that send the email would stop and ask 'how are you doing?'

Of course my response would be 'great!' But it would just be the thought that they stopped to ask about me. I don't really blame them. They don't know any better. They don't know the sacrifices that we make right along with our spouses. The fears that we live with daily. The additional stressors we have in our lives. I always think too it would be better if they just asked HIM how he is doing. He loves getting mail. He would love to know people are thinking about him. I always relay the message, but it's not the same. He might not be able to respond right away, and he will probably even forget. But just let him know. Second hand caring just isn't the same.

Perhaps they are hoping for something I can't give. Information that is private that I probably don't even know. I don't know. My husband and I are secret keepers. We don't tell each other anything unless that person has told us to tell the other. That includes information he knows about himself and movements, missions, etc.

I would love to know every move he makes. It would make me feel more secure knowing where he was every moment. But then again, it could make my life a living hell. I probably don't want to know when he is outside the wire, in fact I'm sure I don't. I prefer my pretend world where is always safe and secure in his CHU.

Just Because

Have you ever received an unexpected letter in the mail? Not email. Regular old fashioned mail.

Did it make you smile and feel warm inside?

It does me.

I am the WORST when it comes to sending mail and 'thank you' cards. Or birthday, anniversary, Easter, Christmas, etc. But I do try to remember.

I challenge you to look in your addresses wherever they may be and pick someone to send a card or letter to. It doesn't have to say much. Just a 'thinking about you' would be fine. (This doesn't include your spouse whom I hope you are already writing to.)

If you are worried about your handwriting, try printing. If that is also bad use the computer but do sign the letter.

You might be surprised and get mail back! Even if you don't, knowing that you put a smile on someone's face is worth so much more.

Let me know how many you send. My goal is one per month to someone new. That doesn't seem like much but when you are as bad as I am about sending letters it is quite a challenge.