2. You should distance yourself from your civilian friends during deployment.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned during my short time on this earth is that we as individuals choose to be offended. My civilian friends have no idea what I am going through, they say stupid things sometimes, but they’ve also picked me up off the floor more times than I can count.
If I were to write off anyone that has said, “You must really miss your husband,” I would have hardly any friends left.
During my husband’s most recent deployment a few of the people who I thought would hold my hand and be a system of support were virtually non existent, yet in the midst of some of the most intense battles I’ve ever had to face, my friends-both fellow spouses and civilian friends– came to me with arms stretched out. I get emotional thinking about the acts of kindness that have been shown to me in the form of hot meals, treats, invitations to watch my children, prayers, hugs, and even words of acknowledgement. Just because someone doesn’t speak our language doesn’t mean they can’t listen or love us when we need them.
