Tuesday, April 1, 2014

A is for Army (A to Z writing theme: Blake)


A is for Army

                Imagine my surprise when Blake came home one day to our little one room apartment to tell me he had met an Army recruiter on campus during lunch.  They had talked about the military and all the benefits that would come from it.  Most importantly, they would pay for medical school.  I thought he was crazy, but I saw he was serious.  We had only been married for nine months and were in the newlywed joy and complete bliss phase of life.  This was a hard pill to swallow.  We immediately prayed about the decision and I felt that the answer was yes. I didn’t want it to be yes, but indeed it was. 

                A month later, I saw Blake off for nine weeks to basic training in Missouri.  His job would be medic.  Of course it would, because he is a kind, caring and generous person.  This was two years after 9/11 and he wanted to do his part.  We corresponded through good old fashioned mail.  I wrote him a letter every day.  I would receive his once a week. It was the highlight of my week.  He said my letters got him through and he saved every one. His first one read, “The drill sergeant yelled at us and made us put our heads in our duffel bags.”  I was pretty upset by that.  After six weeks, he was able to call home. I remember waiting for hours by the phone one Sunday and I even skipped church so I wouldn’t miss the call.  When the phone rang and I heard his voice, I felt immediate relief.  He has the most comforting voice. I could tell he was proud of everything he had done. 

                Three weeks later, I flew out to Missouri to attend his boot camp graduation.  I saw him and it was like a slow motion montage in a movie.  The happiest feeling I had felt in nine weeks.  He was thin as thin could be: a head on a stick would be a great description.  We spent the weekend together before he headed off to Texas for the next four months of training.  We were able to talk some nights, but it was still pretty lonely without him.  He worked non-stop studying to do his best.  He isn’t a partyer and would stay in every weekend polishing boots for extra money and watching movies.  He stayed away from all the nightlife and was always faithful to me.  Which, in the military is a great feat. 

                Two weeks from graduation, he got a brown recluse spider bite.  He was admitted to the hospital then contracted a staph infection from the hospital.  A month in the hospital under the strongest antibiotics available and Law and Order reruns, he managed to make it through.  He always remained optimistic.  The day came when he graduated from his training—three months later than we had planned on.  His parents and I drove down to Texas from Idaho, a non-stop 24 hour drive.  But the minute, I was able to bring him back home with me was one of the sweetest moments of my life.  He had been through the trenches.  He had overcome all odds and come out stronger.  And this is the perfect introduction to my husband, Blake.  He is a kind, giving and selfless person and I am so blessed he is mine.

6 comments:

Kristin Smith said...

Aw, Heather, I love this!! Your husband sounds AMAZING! I admire your strength while the two of you were apart. The longest time my husband and I have been away from each other is 3 weeks, and it almost killed me (well, slight exaggeration). :)

Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

Robbie Walters said...

Thanks for visiting my blog for A to Z. I like your theme for this one. Most of us won't admit it, but we enjoy when our wives brag on us. (Though mine doesn't usually do it for the whole world to see. lol) Good luck with the challenge.
Chatter From the Mongoose Den

Eileen T said...

Such a lovely post. It can't have been easy on both of you being separated for so long so w
early in your marriage. Looking forward to the next instalment.

Eileen @ In My Playroom (also doing the A to Z Challenge)

Anonymous said...

That was a great 'A' story!! I'm sure it was a very difficult and emotional time for you!

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

What a wonderful tribute to your husband. Thank you both for your service to our country!

(The one time Chris took our three children to Texas to visit his mother and I had to stay behind and work? *sheesh* I got a tattoo with our children's initials, birthstone colors in 3 little hearts.)

LuAnn Braley
AJ's Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations

Heather said...

Thank you for the feedback Kristin! Funny what you can manage alone. Robbie, my husband laughed out loud at that one! He might be tired of this by the end.;) Eileen T, mylfelivedfull thank you for your comments! Luann, lol good times. When the cat is away....=)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...