TAKE IT SLOW

It's FINALLY March! That long-awaited month before the return of our loved ones - the majority of them anyway.

I hope this has time hasn't been too difficult for you? It's strange though, isn't it, when our lives take on this familiar/different pace? Ours is measured by "The Deployment" - Is it near the middle yet? Will I miss his phone call if I go to the store? Why even clean up the house today, whose here to see it anyway? Did I make the right decision about the car, the house, the move - whatever? Etc. etc. etc. But it's a common bond we all share, and a common goal - to live victoriously through "The Deployment" . . . and as we look BACK on the whole experience - hopefully - having become a better person once we're united again.

Now we face the daunting task of reuniting after a life that has been put on hold . . .

for almost a year. For some, more daunting than for others, I know! Yet, no matter what, it is an adjustment - for all concerned! So, here is a little reminder of a few reunion basics:

Best rule of thumb -TAKE IT SLOW!!!

Soldiers
• Take time to listen and talk.
• Make time for each child and for your spouse.
• Support the good things your family has done.
• Remember - romantic conversation can make
re-entering love relations easier.
• Manage money carefully.
• Don’t overdo the “reunion parties.”

Spouses
• Avoid a busy schedule.
• Go slowly in making adjustments.
• Remind your spouse that they are still needed.
• Discuss division of the family chores.
• Stick to a budget until you have time to talk
about money matters.
• Make time to be alone with your spouse.
• Be patient in rebuilding your relationship.

Children
• Slowly resume the old rules and routines.
• Be available to your child, with time and
emotions.
• Let the child be the first to renew the bond.
• Expect some changes in your child.
• Focus on successes; limit criticisms.
• Encourage your child to tell you everything that
happened while you were away

EXPECTATIONS FOR SOLDIERS
• Even though you may want to talk about your
experiences, your family may not.
• Roles may have changed with regard to basic chores and household duties.

http://www.pdhealth.mil/library/downloads/RedeploymentFamilyTrifold.pdf

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Think every morning when the sun peeps through

The dim, leaf-latticed windows of the grove

How jubilant the happy birds renew

Their old melodious madrigals of love;

And when you think of this, remember too,

'Tis always morning somewhere, and above

The wakening continents, from shore to shore,

Somewhere the birds are singing evermore.

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Blessings,

Tamera

The New Year!

Where does the time go?

Interestingly, when we were stationed in Japan and I was teaching English, one of the favorite idioms was: "Time flies when you're having fun!" Or shortened to: "Time flies!"

It rarely happens as we're going through the time, but when we look back on it, we may say something like: I can't believe your daughter is old enough to be in junior high school already! How time flies! Or as is the case for me today, "I can't believe it's been so long since my last post! My, how time flies!"

Today, I will appeal to Walt Whitman ~

"You must not know too much, or be too precise or scientific about birds and trees and flowers and water-craft; a certain free margin, and even

vagueness - perhaps ignorance, credulity - helps your enjoyment of these things."

Perhaps Mr. Whitman has a point. If we over analyze it - whatever "it" may be - this can, never better said than in the immortal words of Henry David Thoreau, "suck the marrow out of life" - and, sadly . . . Time will fly by!

Sometimes we may think that we will start to enjoy our lives, or be happy, "when" . . . but that's not necessarily true! We must choose to enjoy life right now; each and every day!

The New Year, like a new born child, is placed in our hands as the old year passes away. The days and weeks to come are a gift from God; they carry His blessing.

Our hope for the year ending is that all that was good in it remain with us and all that was not be left behind.

(((hugs))) and blessings,

Tamera