September 8, 2006
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A Featured_Grownups writing challenge:
A Letter of Closure
Everyone has things happen in life where they long for closure; these can be happy, sad, tragic, imaginary/fantasy, cerebal… your choice
Write a letter of closure to someone, something, sometime then come back and leave a link in the comments!
Beloved Air Force,
I’m writing this with mixed emotions. I am happy and sad at the same time. For the last 21 years you have been there for me and my family. You decided where we should live. Your pay scales and promotion scales dictated how we would live.
You took me far away from my family at a very young age, and…. you showed me the world. I met people and made friends in Mississippi, Germany, Florida, Arizona, California and Hawaii. While exploring the country I learned to stand on my own two feet. While living overseas I learned how to manage basic repairs and rely on myself. If I couldn’t , there were people there for me to lean on – thanks to you. I found a family bigger than anything I could ever imagine.
Because of you, my children have spent too much time without their father. He works long hours, and is often gone, sometimes for months at a time and once you even had the audacity to send him away for a year. When my first daughter was just weeks old you sent him for a 3 day TDY. He returned 3 months later, and still can’t tell me where he was. Because of you my children have “aunts” in multiple states, friends all over the country, and have seen a great many wondrous things – including a trip to Korea. Not every child gets to have those opportunities. They have also left friends, boyfriends and family behind and been the “new kid” too many times.
You have provided steady income, housing, medical and food. I have hated you, loved you, cursed you, and thanked God for you. When you sent hubby away, I hated you, when you allowed us to be together with dozens of other Air Force families I loved you. When I got a ticket for my lawn not being short enough I cursed you, and when our country needed you most I loved you. I must admit that the thought of proceeding without your immense support frightens me just a little. The thought though, of not having to move, of finally putting down roots outweighs the fears. To know that the Air Force does not get a say in our next home location – is overwhelming at times. Good, but overwhelming.
Most of all you have fanned the belief that our country is great, that freedom is worth standing up for, and that I am oh so proud to be an American and an Air Force wife. So with tears in my eyes, and a smile on my face I bid you a fond adieu. You have made the last 21 years unforgettable. I will treasure them, always.
With much love and thanks,
A proud Air Force Wife
Please comment ~ And please drop by Featured_Grownups and read all the other great entries. Our goal is to get as many of our participants on Featured Content as possible, we can only do that if you read and comment!
Comments (30)
I love your post. Air Force is one of the best forces to be in. I can understand the love hate feeling. Thanks for sharing I wish you all the luck in the world for your family. :goodjob:
Wow! Excellent perspective. I like how you explore both the positive and negative aspects of it. Thank you for sharing and also for reading/commenting on mine!
what a wonderful letter!!!! i miss you too :wave:
sooooooo true! When i was reading that i nodded my head! I so cant wait for hubby to be out of the military but then im dreading it too. I cant wait to get my own house as well but im also nervous to think that.I wonder if i will get a itch to move once he settled out of military.I been saying for years i cant wait till he retires.He has 3 years left but also nervous too.Wonder what it will be like without the military.
what a great post! thank you for sharing it.
Great post. Gave me shivers. Very well put. Kind of gives insight to those of us that haven’t had to move around or been told what, where, when etc. Have a great weekend.
Thanks for participating – you are linked
I can imagine how that would be. My hubby retired after 23 years, but he still loves the Air Force and misses the planes. I think he would do it all over without hesitation and I thank God that there are people like that out there. Service to our country is to be admired, and given great honors. It also requires sacrifice. I salute your husband, and you.
A wonderful entry and well done! I thank your husband, and you, and the family for the sacrifices made on behalf of my family… thanks very much…
So bittersweet…great post!
This is a great letter with a very different take than most of the posts … i enjoyed this glimpse into the life of an Air Force family …
best,
j
Wonderful post. Thanks to your family for the sacrifices you’ve made for my family and all Americans.
Makes one appreciate the presence of family and freedom….
Just dawned on me – you location – been reminiscing – spent 3 wonderful weeks w/a ten pack of island hops on our honeymoon - had the op to enjoy much of your state – mahalo again
Great letter. Many people put down the military as a career. I think it is one of the most noble one can do. Thanks for sharing that with all of us!!
what a great tribute to the Air Force! Every military person will completely understand that love-hate relationship. You have one more thing to be thankful for….
a retirement check.
I’m looking forward to hearing where your final destination will be.
Your letter really gave me insight to a miltary life. There a lot of things I would now you and your family deal with, being shipped all over the place. Thanks for showing us the up and the downs.:goodjob:
Thanks for sharing that. It was a wonderful letter, and very heartfelt. It gave me a whole new insight into what it would be like to be in an Air Force family.
Alisha
My husband is an Air Force Brat, and this gives me a better perspective on his childhood. I like that you can see the positive as well as the negative aspects of it.
This is a great post. The bittersweet memories. some good, some bad, but all that have shaped us. Thanks for sharing. My letter is up if you wish to read.
tami
Very impressive letter. Thanks for sharing.
Great post…if you go to July 29th post you will see how life changing it was…Smile
Very insightful letter. It is good to “take stock” and consider the impact choices and circumstances have in our lives. Thanks to your husband, you and your family for the contribution to our country!
Very nice.
Thank you for sharing.
Very well written, I look forward to the day my son and his wife can say good bye to the Army. For now pray for my daughter n law as she welcomes her husband home from Baghdad after a year of his seperation from his wonderful wife and two children. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! -jo
Very well written. My dad was in the Air Force. You write so eloquently not only of your experience, but the ways it affected you family in ways that we never really talked about in my family. Blessings abound
Great letter, so where are you going to settle down at?
I love this post……I can relate….I grew up a Navy Brat…..my father was always gone …we moved a lot…and I was too the new kid…..my dad retired after 21 years in the Navy and I have to say that it was scary…but we made and I have always been so proud of him. Great Post and Good Luck!