Thank You 2014

525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes – how do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee. In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In 525,600 minutes – how do you measure a year in the life?

How about love? Measure in love. Seasons of love. ~Rent

Today is Veteran’s Day. As a wife of an active duty service member my thoughts automatically shift to all those who are serving their country far from home, away from family and friends. As a mother, I think of all our children who have moms and dads risking their lives and who have to accept that mom and dad won’t be home, again, for_____fill in the blank. Time crawls for those who are missing someone. I know firsthand. And yet, how is it when the clock is counting down for the next departure–time speeds up and moments move at lightening speed?

It’s true when they say you don’t know what you have until it is gone, isn’t it? After all we’ve been through as a military family I am forever grateful for my husband’s presence. It is a present. A gift. I do not take it lightly. I do not take it for granted. I cherish even the snoring that comes with it.

I am thinking of all the stories I have heard now. The stories from friends and family who have served or are currently serving. Stories that ended and began all in a single minute. Stories that were heroic, sad, joyous, and devastating. How do you say I am so sorry this much? How do you explain the extent of the ache in your own heart? How do you measure gratitude? How do you measure moments? How do you say I appreciate you this much? How do you explain how much something or someone means to you or explain your degree of sorrow?

How do you measure sacrifice? I am surrounded by Veterans–my husband, my father, my father-in-law, my friends, my community, my previous community, and my community before that. I’ve been told there are about 20 million Veterans alive today who are serving or who have served. 5 million men and women during the Gulf War Era (present), 7 million people during Vietnam, 1.3 million people during World War II and 2.1 million people during the Korean War.

There are so many statistics out there on Veterans. So many numbers. So many measurements.

But how do you measure a life?

Thank you to all who serve past and present.

Love to you.

Jen