The kid in his early teens is smart; he values his family and recognizes what causes him to feel sad. He also knows how to fix it. “When I feel sad, it helps whenever my parents or friends are around to cheer me up,” he said. Victor and many other military children are shining examples of what it means to be resilient. Being resilient doesn’t mean one goes through life without experiencing stress and pain. Resilient kids and teens experience grief, sadness and many other emotions. But they learn how to work through them and to keep the trials and tribulations that come with military life from tainting the joy all around us, especially during the holidays.
Take nine-year-old Marrin Faith O’Neal for example – her father is in the Marine Corps as well and she had some of those more predictable answers discussed earlier. She gushes about Santa and, of course, loves Zach. He’s her elf that comes from the North Pole to watch over her and her younger brother during the holidays. While she focuses on trying to be good so Santa will come to her house, she also admitted she has two favorite parts of the holiday season. “All the different yummy treats and the presents,” she said.
What is her Christmas wish this year? She wants to put her creative side to good use after Christmas if it comes true. “A sewing machine,” she explained. “Because I love making crafts and toys and I want to make clothes for my dolls and stuffed animals.” Spoken like a true nine-year-old girl. She knows a lot about Christmas traditions and the meaning behind Christmas when it comes to her faith. Marrin has strong faith and says it gets her through the tough times. When she’s feeling sad there is always one thing that makes her feel better: “Thinking about Jesus,” she said.
I talked with many military children and their answers, for the most part, were just as predictable as any other child’s would be when discussing the holidays. They love the candy, the music, their elves and of course…the presents. I’m not sure what I expected to learn as I set out on this project, but I was surprised by the similarity between a military child’s answers and those who don’t have parents in the military.
I think this proves a strong point. Our kids really aren’t so different. Maybe they’re more confident and more adaptable to change. But one thing remains true…when it comes to their holiday spirit, it is not broken; it is strong. The fact that they soak up the same love for details as the other average American children across the country proves just how resilient our kids are…they don’t let the stress that often comes with military life dampen their will to believe. They’re not jaded.
They’re strong military kids.
Better yet…they’re just kids.
And Santa will be sure to bring them what they want and what they need this holiday season…maybe not something they’ve asked for in a letter, but certainly the love they deserve. And hopefully, for many, they’ll have a Christmas with their parents home to enjoy it by their side.
