In Honor
If you know me, you probably know that I am often up late at night working on things for the business and can often be found at my computer. It is often during these late nights that I will just sometimes begin to write about something that is on my mind. A few months ago, after hearing about the loss of a friend that was serving in Iraq, these words somehow came to me as I was thinking about him and his family. Since August is a special month in my shoppe, as we are thinking of those special military wives, I just decided to share these thoughts with you. After I later reread these words, I feel that it is so true for all military wives, not just those that have lost their husband. I share this with you in hopes it will maybe be a reminder that you are not ever alone, and that no matter where our loved ones may be at the moment...well, they are always in our heart. And, my hope for you is that you will always feel them there. ~Ann-Margaret
A Soldier's Promise
I know you are there; I know you see me. I know you are listening and guiding me to choose the right path, whatever it may be. The world is so big, too big. I won't know what to do. "Yes, you will. I will be right here with you , forever still. I have always promised you that."
Yes, but that promise was with you here with me, here where I could see you, touch your face, hold you, watch you smile and feel my frustrations drift away. What am I to do without all of you? I cannot breathe; I cannot face existence without you by my side.
"Yes, you can...for I will be the first breath you take each morning. I will be the strongest beat of your heart. It will be me that will give you a strength that you at first did not realize you have. I will catch you when you feel you are about to fall, and the faith that you have always had in me will be even stronger because you will know that I am with you. You will see me when you look at the girls...when you hear that silly laugh they do you will know that is part of me. When they tease you, you will know that was how I taught them to be. You have a strength greater than you know...I will show you. You have had to be strong to stand beside me and all that I have wanted to do, to be, and to live. You have done it gracefully with the wings of an angel, you have done it faithfully as though it was as natural as each breath you breathe, and you have done it honorably because there have been times you wanted to shelter me. You wanted to keep me from harm; you hoped I would choose the easier path, but deep within your heart you knew that this was my calling, this was what I wanted to be. You allowed me to be that man. You supported me with your tender smile and encouraging words, and this required a strength that does not just happen. It exists because you have believed in me and loved me completley, unconditionally...for I know you have, or you could not have stood on that flightline all those times and smiled and held back your tears. It was this stength that allowed you to wrap your arms around me and let me believe that you would be ok. It was this strenth that guided you home where I knew you would collapse in tears and anger over the thought of getting up each day wondering if I was safe. But, look where you are, where you have been, the road we have traveled together...you could not have walked beside me so faithfully if you did not have this strength."
"Have I ever let you down? Have I not ever been there when I said I would be? I will not start now...for this time shall be no different. You just have to always believe in me...believe in me still."
Written by:
Ann-Margaret Arnold
All Rights Reserved/Copyright 2007
Ann-Margaret Arnold
All Rights Reserved/Copyright 2007