What is a Military Wife?

I had a friend message me this poem to share on my FB page. It is far too long for a status and far too perfect to simply post as one! This poem says it all! 

What do you think?

From the Author:

I wrote this polyphonal reading (i.e. “many voices”) while stationed in Minot, North Dakota for a wives’Induction Ceremony. Every line is inspired by real Air Force Wives who, along with other military spouses, are a breed of their own. We don’t all want to be “married to the military,” but we are, defacto, and no matter how involved or not we are in “his” world there is much we have in common.

To the spouses who are men, my apologies for leaving you out of this piece. Your own sacrifices include ours plus some, and we are grateful for your brave and humble presence among us.

The piece is designed to be read by four ladies, reader’s theater style. The form reflects the delightful variety among Military Wives as well as the spirit of cooperation and community that binds them together.

If you aren’t military, I hope it gives you a window into our lives, and inspires you to reach out to that new neighbor who is “just temporary.” You will be richer for it.  ~Jane

  

What is A Military Wife?

By Jane Hubbard Hyde~2005

What is a Military Wife 

A Military wife can be tough to describe.

She is a southern belle,

 a Northeastern Mets fan, 

a California 3rd generation recycler, 

a Pacific Islander.

She is short or tall

a tomboy

a fashion diva

a physician’s assistant

a Republican

a Democrat (yes, even THAT!)

A Military Wife is a career gal

a home-schooler

a scrap-booker

an accomplished cellist

an auto mechanic

So many

many 

many kinds

What is a MILITARY Wife?

They may look different 

and each is wonderfully unique

But they have THIS all in common.

lots of moving—

moving, 

moving, 

moving far from home

moving two cars, 

3 kids and 1 dog

-all riding with HER of course

moving sofas to basements 

because they won’t go in THIS house

moving curtains that won’t fit

moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours

moving away from friends 

moving toward new friends

moving her most important luggage; 

her trunk-full of memories

often waiting-

waiting, 

waiting, 

waiting for housing; 

waiting for orders; 

waiting for deployment; 

waiting for reunion; 

waiting for phones calls;
waiting for the new curtains to arrive;

 waiting for him to come home
for dinner -AGAIN!

They call her “military dependent”, but she knows better

she can balance a checkbook

handle the yard work

fix a noisy toilet.

She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors, and toggle bolts.

She can file the taxes, 

sell a house, 

buy a car, 

or set up a move, 

–all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbors that don’t welcome her.

Reinvents her career with every PCS; 

locates a house in the desert,
the arctic, 

or the deep south 

and learns to call them all “home”.

She MAKES them all home.

She is fiercely IN-dependent.

Military Wives are somewhat hasty

They leap into decorating, 

leadership, 

volunteering, 

career alternatives, 

churches 

and friendships.

They don’t have 15 years to get to know people.

Their roots are short but flexible.

They plant annuals for themselves 

And perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.

They connect over coffee, 

rely on the spouse-network 

accept offers of friendship and favors 

and record addresses in pencil.

ALL Military Wives have a common bond.

The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands

 his commitment is unique 

He doesn’t have a job, he has a “mission” 

he can’t just decide to quit 

he’s on-call for his country 24/7 

but for you, he’s the most

UNreliable guy in town!

His language is foreign

TDY

PCS

OPR

ACC

BDU

And so, a Military Wife is a translator 

for her family and his.

She is the long-distance link to keep them informed, 

the glue that holds them together.

The Military Wife has her moments—

She wants to wring his neck, 

dye his uniform pink, 

and refuse to move to Siberia.

But she pulls herself together.

Give her a few days 

a travel brochure 

a long hot bath

a pledge to the flag

and a wedding picture,

And she goes.

She packs.

She moves.

She follows.

Why?
What for?

How come?

You may think it is because she has lost her mind.

But actually it is because she has lost her heart.

It was stolen from her by a man

who puts duty first

who longs to deploy

who salutes the flag

and whose boots in the doorway remind her 

that as long as he is her Military husband,

She will remain his Military wife.