Deploymentlessons.org

I have learned just how much of all the little stuff I took for granted while my husband was here and life surely doesn’t stop while he is gone.  I never knew just how long 24 hours felt day after day.   Ft. Carson, Colorado

I’ve learned that as soon as you find out your husband’s leave dates, time seems to stop completely.

I have learned that browsing websites like these are the perfect cure for lonely nights.  Ft Campbell

I have learned that during deployments the brakes on the car go; I do get to shop alone; my kids are resilient as hell; that when I go grocery shopping, its for two areas of the world; my friends become my family around me; the house is easier to clean without his army stuff being on my floor daily; and that I AM A PROUD SURVIVING DEPLOYMENT ARMY WIFE!

I have learned that everything breaks within 3 weeks of deployment, and fixes itself a week before he comes home for R&R… and then breaks again!

I’ve learned that an adult (myself) can get strep for the first time in her life while her husband is deployed AND that both cars we owned could get hail damage while he was gone….survived both.  WHat is the saying- when is rains, it pours….or just bangs the crap out of your car!  ha,ha.

I have learned that once a PROUD MILITARY SPOUSE, always a PROUD MILITARY SPOUSE! After 20 years, it’s just in your HEART and SOUL!  Summerville, SC

I have learned that your eyebrows will grow back after you have lite the grill for the first time.  Ft. Bliss

I have learned that boys really do need their dads especially after 5th grade health class.

I have learned to steal away every “dirty” shirt my husband wears during his last week or two home prior to a deployment, and then ziploc them.  Coupled with that, I have learned only to smell them when I have time to cry.  Fort Wainwright, AK

I have learned that I am capable of ANYTHING, and that his praise, even from twelve thousand miles way, means more than anything else on earth.   Redstone Arsenal, AL

I am truly learning how to trust; my husband in his year long deployment, his leaders to keep him safe, the caregivers with my children, and my children downstairs alone while I take a much needed hot shower.  Ft. Bliss

I learned that I didn’t truly appriciate that life is too short, that every moment should be cherished and nothing should be taken for granted, until now.  Ft. Carson, CO

I learned that I was wrong in assuming that my youngest children were too young to  miss their daddy.  Ft. Carson, CO

I have learned that “Wait till your Dad gets home” does not work when Dad is deployed!  Ohio

I have learned that raising the children alone while my husband is gone is an exhausting whirlwind!  And it also helps to turn on the oven to cook the dinner.  Hohenfels, Germany

I have learned to make a point to meet my civilian neighbors wherever I live and to be a good neighbor in return while my husband is deployed.  Hohenfels, Germany

I learned that I really loved to hear my husband laugh when we got the chance to talk on the phone while he was deployed.  Especially when he was tired.  Hohenfels, Germany

I learned that when I was really down in the dumps, it was time to call friends for a “Whine and Cheese” Party!!  Hohenfels, Germany (soon to be at Ramstein!)

While living in Germany, I have learned never to order herring.  It is a Northern Germany specialty that is served raw! Ugh!!!!  Hohenfels, Germany