Goodbyes

For those of you who don't know my sister, Ginger, she is an absolutely amazing person. Ginger has the ability to understand me in a way that few can. She knows the characters that helped to mold me into the person who I have become, and thus when I tell her a story it requires a much shorter preference. We talk to each other daily and she helps to ground me when I want to go crazy. Now if you met both of us you might be amazed at the similarities in some of our features or the sound of our voices. Despite our similarities, in some regards, we couldn't be more different. When I think of many of my most treasured relationships I realize that they are often with people quite different from me. There is such a beauty in relationships where one is equally respective of the others differences. Accepting someone for who they are versus persuading them to be who you want them to be is awe inspiring.

Monday, Ginger's husband, left for Iraq for 15 months. I can't even begin to imagine what that must feel like. It may be a bit surreal, feel like an integral puzzle piece is missing, seem devastating as well as scary, etc.? I talked with her last night and I am amazed and inspired by her strength. It is unfathomable for me to imagine the number of individuals raising their children on their own while their spouse serves in our military. There are women and men raising their families on their own everyday and not just single parents. The thought of being married and then having your spouse leave for over a year or more brings the vow for better or worse a totally new meaning. Thomas Merton said, "Perhaps I am stronger than I think." I know that this is true for Ginger as well as many others.