I knew being an FRG leader was going to have it's ups and downs, and I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I also knew there were people far better suited for the slot, but I have a weakness for those in need, and at the time we (we being our FRG) were in need of a new leader. So I did what I do best and volunteered myself, my family and my time for something I was only mildly familiar with.
I had been volunteering unofficially with the FRG since we moved here in May, but nothing like the magnitude I was about to take on. I took over in January and held my first meeting in February. I was very fortunate to take over from a dear friend and she has helped me immensely along the way. I've learned a lot from this experience, and I learn more each day and with each meeting, each fundraiser, each organizational day. Each new thing brings it's own challenges.
I have the privilege to meet and get to know our soldiers on a more personal level than most, and I also have the opportunity to have better relationships with their spouses, ans sometimes even a few parents. I'm not sure how much this has to do with my role as an FRG leader, or how much it has to do with the people Curt and I communicate with outside of his work, but either way I feel very fortunate to be able to interact the way I do.
I told you that so you can understand why today was so bittersweet for me and why replaying the day in my head even now the tears are falling as I type. Today was homecoming for main body. For me that means the 6 soldiers from our unit that had deployed a few months ago to assist with equipment came home, and the soldiers from other units that had been deployed much longer also came home. Being that some of my dear friends were returning, I had planned on being at the homecoming anyway. As the FRG leader I was also there to show my support.
Here's where the hard part comes in...my husband is not part of main body and was not returning today. Our first homecoming was not for Curt. Now no matter how much of a planner I am and how much I want to see how things work first, some things are sacred (I think) and going to a homecoming without your spouse while he is deployed, I can no officially say is no bueno.
I'm not in anyway saying it was all bad. I was so happy to be able to be there to show my support, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I just had a really hard time watching everyone come in and find their significant other and watch them embrace and their kids get so excited, while G and I were missing and hurting. It sucked having to keep it together and I even had to rush to the bathroom so no one would see the tears starting to fall....that was an epic fail!
I'm not writing this for pity, I don't want any ones pity. We made the decision for Curt to join the Army, we made the decision for him to deploy, we've made each of these decisions together. Please don't pity me for decisions we have made. I am not pitying myself, I write because it helps me deal. It's my blog, for me...not for anyone but me.
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