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Posted by on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at 9:55 AM (PST)
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WHAT 4TH OF JULY MEANS TO ONE AMERICAN MOM
- contributed by Sonia Smith, Bizymoms Chat Manager
As Independence Day approaches I am asked what this day means to me. It used to mean to me a day of wonderful BBQ, swimming in someone's pool, and of course it meant we got to pop fireworks.
I am sure it means the same to many. In the last 7 years however, it has a very different meaning to me.
I understand the sacrifices that so many before me have made for this Wonderful Country! I am a very Proud Marine Wife. I want to let you know from my life what Independence means to me.
My husband went to boot camp in July 2001. He promised me that nothing would happen and not to be scared. As we all know too well September 11 happened. He was in the middle of boot camp and I was terrified. Upon completion of boot camp we got married and proceeded to start a family. In November 2002 we had our first child, a daughter named Alexis. In January 2003 my husband left for a 6 month tour at sea.
We got to talk off and on until February 12, 2003. He told me that they were going to Kuwait. I didn't hear from my husband again until April 30, 2003. My husband was the 6th Man across the Iraq Border. He was 19 years old and saw way too much than he should have. He came home in July 2003.
I thought that day would never come. My husband last saw our daughter when she was 7 weeks old and now she was 8 months. It would be a short lived joy; he was leaving again in February. Time passed so quickly. He left in 2004 and was gone for 8 months. This was a hard time. I decided to not move home for the 8 months.
I lived in California and my family was in Texas. He came home to a toddler who was almost 2. He decided to try Recruiting Duty. This wasn't any easier! Fast forward to June 2008, we have 2 more children, 2 boys named Brandon and Cody. We are coming onto another deployment. This will be our first time without my husband home for Christmas. I don't look for pity. This is a life I choose to live. I live it proud and with strength I never knew I had. These are sacrifices that my family makes. That is what the Independence Day means to me.
To me Independence Day is very important; I never thought I would cry when I heard the National Anthem. It had a new meaning to me when someone I loved was protecting our Country. Freedom is often forgotten, along with the men and women who are sacrificed for it. So in turn I leave you with this simple question:
What does Independence Day mean to you?
Here’s to freedom!
We at Bizymoms.com wish all our moms in the US and all the proud American moms around the world a very Happy 4th of July!
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