FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- I love action movies. More specifically, I love superhero flicks. Batman, X-Men, Superman, Ironman - I've seen them all. One thing I have noticed, however, is no matter the extent of the super powers, each hero has a weakness. What will Gotham City/Metropolis/New York do if Batman's gadgets break, Superman encounters Kryptonite or Spiderman can't throw his web'
I thought about all this last week when I woke up with a sore throat and pounding headache, which soon progressed to body aches. I felt as though someone had put Kryptonite in my Cheerios. And yet, I got up, got dressed, fed the baby and dragged myself into work, armed with a few bags of tea, honey, an electric kettle and the strongest non-drowsy meds I could find.
As spouses, we often live the type of lives that sometimes make people think that we must tuck our capes into our skirts (or trousers) before heading to work or settling into a day of back-to-back activities for the children each day. Who else but a superhero could work a full-time job, shuttle the children back and forth to music lessons and volunteer as a scout leader, all while providing a hot meal every - all right, most - nights. (Just for clarification, "hot meal" also includes pizza, both ordered and frozen, as well as other forms of take out. It's hot, isn't it')
For many of us military spouses, that is amplified; we also have to attend Family Readiness Group meetings, plan bake sales, get ready for balls and anything else the Army may throw at us. We deal with deployments, long hours and missed vacations. And in between all of that, we have to find time for ourselves.
With only one child, one full-time job and one husband, I feel as though I have it easier than many of the spouses I encounter on a day-to-day basis. I am in awe of these Superwomen and Supermen; these women (and men) who hold down the fort while their Soldiers are at work or deployed; these spouses who somehow make it to each child's ballgame and each battalion sports day, ready with a tray of snacks and a smile. These are spouses who epitomize the moniker, "Household 6."
Sometimes, it seems that our hard work goes unnoticed. And though we don't do what we do out of recognition, it is nice to get a pat on the back every now and then.
Tomorrow, Fort Jackson's Army Community Services is giving spouses a pat on the back in the form of a Military Spouse Appreciation Day drop-in 11:30 to 1 p.m., at the Family Readiness Center. Many commanders often talk about how difficult a job it is to be a military spouse; and many even acknowledge that despite their best efforts, there is no possible way to give an award or recognition comparable to the sacrifices spouses make for their Soldiers each day. Tomorrow's drop-in, which includes door prizes and refreshments, is just a small way for Fort Jackson to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the post's military spouses.
So, spouses, if you can, take some time for yourself and stop in and allow yourself to be honored on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which is, incidentally, two days before Mother's Day.
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