Lucky Ducky

Sometimes you have a week where lots of good things happen to you and lots of bad things happen to other people. It is usually pretty easy to determine when the bad things happen, but the good things are often interpreted through mood or comparison.

This week, I learned that two people have cancer. The first is the person who married Joe and I. The second is the person who introduced us.

It was hard to swallow both of these realities. No matter what else is going on in your life, when you hear things like that you should realize how good you have it and how lucky you are not to personally experience Fear Number Five (refer to Week 48).

For me, the last deployment served as the "bad thing" that made other aspects of my life look much more rosy - especially once Joe was home. After living a year without Joe, it became blatantly obvious that that was the worst thing that could happen to me. As a result, it became very difficult for me to take Joe for granted when I did have him, as having him was logically the best thing that could happen to me.

Smelly PTs all strewn about? Doesn't matter.

Mazes of treacherous computer cords? Doesn't matter.

This deployment came with my full understanding that Joe and I will get through it just as we did the last one and that as before we would be better for it. Each reunion is a honeymoon, a second chance to begin a new life together and to reaffirm to yourself and your partner that you are where you want to be.

A map of your priorities and a "you are here" sign is the best gift any bad experience can provide.