Undercurrents

Life’s good. It’s changed, but still good. My son’s been in Afghanistan for several weeks now. Being a proud Army Mom of a deployed soldier changed everything.

I still go about my daily life but my focus is different. Sure I go to work everyday just like before. Only now I make sure all my instant message programs are running on my work computer and my cell phone is always close at hand. I chat with my son online when I should be working. I go to the market as usual but now I throw extra items in my cart to start another care package for my son. Oh, and the frequent trips to the post office! I scour the Internet for news about what’s happening in Afghanistan each day hoping that I find nothing.

I do all the normal things I always did, like walking at the beach, exercising like crazy, hiking at night, enjoying a cup of coffee with friends, and volunteering with adorable animals. I keep busy with a home business in addition to my job. I spend time with my family that I love so much. Life is good.

But now, there is a strong undercurrent of thoughts and emotion amid the flurry of activity in my life. It’s always with me.

What lies beneath the surface are thoughts of my son and the danger he faces each and everyday. Sometimes I can handle it, sometimes I cannot. The moments that I cannot result in quiet tears. When the moment passes, I carry on – the undercurrents staying just below the surface of my life. It’s the ebb and flow of life these days.

As my son the pilot takes flight daily and sometimes into the night in Afghanistan, I pray – “Lord, as he makes his way through his days and through his nights, please let his guardian angel protect his flight.”

Staying Army Mom Strong