"Retreat"

Kaden and I were waiting at a light right before the gate to get off of the base. All of a sudden I see all the cars in the main street in front of me stop moving. I looked behind them all to see if I could spot the ambulance but didn't see it. Kaden asked me what was wrong and I said I didn't know. I looked back toward the BX to see if anyone was coming our direction only to see everyone standing still. "Oh, listen, babe!" I said quickly as I rolled down the window. I put my noisy SUV into park and quickly put my hand over my heart. I forgot that Kaden hadn't ever been on base during retreat and he kept talking and asking questions and I kept shushing him. Finally it hit me that he had no idea what was going on and I asked him if he knew what song was playing. "The National Banner" he replied. (he tries hard, really) I told him to look at the police at check in. "They're standing still not checking cars in and they have their hands on their hearts. That's weird!" he replied. I told him to look at the cars all around us. "Everybody's just stopped. Where's the ambulance?" I explained to him that at the end of the work day on base they play the National Anthem and everything stops. Every person that hears the song pauses. Some put their hands over their hearts, some take their hats off, some look for a flag, and some just stand very still. It's the most quiet, beautiful moment on base, I think. I hadn't been on base for retreat in probably 12 years. I had forgotten how beautiful it was. While I explained it all he said "Why are you crying Mommy?" but before I could answer he said with deep exasperation "Oh yeah.. you ALWAYS cry at this song".

I glanced at the MPs frozen with their hands on their hearts and at all the cars that pulled off the roads YARDS away from exiting the base--the first couple could've made it---but no one tries. It's important. It's... 'crucial' in a way. It's such a powerful moment to sit/stand there on a military base with your hand on your heart listening to our country's national anthem and be reminded why you've made do without your husband while he was sent to places like Bahrain, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Germany, and Korea. Reminded why you don't complain when it's time to iron his uniform AGAIN. Reminded why you look the other way when people have anti-war/anti-military signs on the side of the road. Because your husband's career is MORE than a job. He signed his name on that dotted lines years and years ago swearing that he would do whatever it takes. "Whatever" it takes. And whether you liked it deep down in your heart or not---you were proud. Proud to be his. Proud to be a "soldiers" wife. Because no matter what kind of negativity the media can stir up or crazed activists can come up with... you know you married a hero. A man that pledged not only to die for you but for all those negative crazed lunatics that give you so many headaches. He pledged to be blind to the "who". He pledged to be ready at all times. And as difficult as that is to accept sometimes, when he puts that uniform on in the morning--you're blown away--everytime. It doesn't get old. You don't forget. The military always reminds me of Colossians 1:17--All things were created by Him and for Him. My husband is not MINE. I'm just borrowing him. How beautifully sweet of God to loan him to me for a while for my enjoyment. Unfortunately the military doesn't loan with as tender of a heart... (haha) but I'm so unbelievably grateful to have my husband here with us.. now. Every moment he is here with me is a blessed one.

My husband is a hero to many. But most of all to me. He makes me so proud.