FORT JACKSON -- It is no secret that times are tough. We're in a recession, jobs are scarce and people are being required to do more for less pay.
Once upon a time, long ago, I was an Army officer. In my current position, I'm required to wear several hats: cook, chauffeur, maid, educator, accountant, evangelist, nanny, and counselor, just to name a few. I'm on call 24 hours a day and I don't get paid a dime.
Don't call the labor union just yet - I'm a stay-at-home mom. I'm still relatively new to the job. I've been at it for three years. I have a precious 3-year-old and 6-month-old.
My husband is in command now, which means that he works every waking hour of the day and night, leaving me to wrestle our two angels alone on a regular basis.
A few months ago, I began to get that itch that many homemakers get these days. I had daydreams of living a different life; a life far away from whiny toddlers, dirty baby diapers, and endless mounds of laundry.
That amazing life where I am the one who gets to wake up in the morning and leave home for a workplace filled with other adults and mature conversation. As a result, I decided to join the Army Reserves.
Yes, one weekend a month and two weeks a year, I will dust off my uniform and go play Army.
I was so excited the week before my first battle assembly with my new unit. My husband was supportive, and even got the first sergeant to cover for him so he could stay home and watch the kids on Sunday.
However, on Saturday I had to drop the kids at the child development center and that was a tall order at 6:30 a.m., but we made it. My day at work on Saturday went flawlessly. I met new people, engaged in intelligent conversation, ate my lunch uninterrupted, and was even saluted a few times!
I was making my own money and being recognized as an individual, not just "Sydnee's Mom." I was living my dream life.
So, why wasn't I overjoyed' Something was missing, and it was my babies. All day long, amidst the stimulating adult conservation,
I wondered: Is my baby screaming or playing'
Is my toddler taking a nap or just lying on the mat running her mouth'
When the end of the day came, I could not get to the CDC fast enough. I was greeted with smiles, hugs and kisses saved just for Mommy, and my heart was full.
I was right about the luxuries of working away from home. A whole day passed and I had not washed one dish, had not wiped a dirty bum, nor had I screamed, "Stop doing that to your brother!," numerous times.
On the down side, a whole day passed and I also had not rocked my baby to sleep. I had not giggled with my toddler for no particular reason at all, and I had not received any spontaneous little kisses on the hand followed by, "Mommy, I love you!"
So, I'm going to stop looking enviously over on my hubby's side of the fence. He can keep his day job and I'll keep mine. The pay is nonexistent, but the benefits are priceless.
Editor's note: Cursha Pierce-Lunderman is a former signal officer and current Army spouse and Reservist. She is also an author of a children's book, "God's Going Too: His promises for kids during deployment." She is currently working on an adult devotional.
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