The gift of friends
Published: December 21, 2007
During this holiday season, a family emergency called me back to the States. With all that an unplanned trip of that nature requires, I saw several of this year's Spouse Calls subjects come to life like friendly ghosts of columns past.
From Red Cross notification and verification, military provision of airfare for emergencies, to guest passes and driving privileges for visiting family members, I was reminded of the importance of good information in a difficult situation.
My mother was here for a 3-week tour of as many Christmas markets as we could manage, but her visit went from vacation to vocation in a short time, as she offered to stay here in Germany with our children, so that I could accompany my husband (who flew in from Iraq) back to the States.
No column subject was as applicable, however, as the one that appears this Sunday. (Click here to read Dec. 23 Spouse Calls.)
This week's Spouse Calls is allabout friends, and friends were the resource that saw us through. My friends here in Germany became my mom's support network, just as they are mine. They checked on her daily, made commissary and post office runs for her. They made sure that she was able to attend my daughter's Christmas choir concert, took her to lunch and even to a Christmas market. Many more were praying for all of us.
In addition, since my husband was not here for some of the planning stages, friends in his unit made sure that all the necessary paperwork was covered. Several friends, both active duty and spouses took us to and from the airport.
In November, I spoke to a group ofspousesin Heidelberg. My subject was friends and how much we need them as military spouses. Even with the multiple military organizations that serve as a safety net in difficult times, there is no substitute for friends in times of need. Little did I know how soon my words would be proven true by my own friends.
So, to Kelli and Kelly, Renee', Joel, Sheila, Randy, Scott and John, and to many others who were thinking of me and probably helped in ways I don't even realize, thank you for proving the priceless nature of friendship.
To all of you who read these pages: A merry and blessedChristmas.
Sincerely,
Terri
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