Sunday, October 23, 2005
Little Running, Lots of Hugging
Lots of excitement, lots of hugging, lots of tears and very little running. I guess not even the training gods could frown on me for missing a couple of runs this week. This is the week I've waited for for the last 51 weeks. The week, the day, my husband would return home after a year in a foreign land fighting for our country- land of the free, home of the brave. Lots of anticipation and emotions running amuck. Then the day was finally here or was it?
I arrived at the New Britain Armory a little after 11am on Monday. Helped set up the snacks and coffee, hand out flags to the arriving families and then I waited, and waited, and waited. FINALLY, at 1:15 we got the call from the bus that they were getting off the exit and would be arriving any minute. DEEP BREATH! All of a sudden my heart was in my throat and I didn't know whether I needed to poop or throw up (sorry TMI). It was very similar to the feeling you get on race morning and you know that you've trained for this and you are so ready but you have no idea what to expect.
Anyway, he gets off the bus and the tears start. I couldn't help it. There he was standing in front of me, my husband looking all handsome and I was overcome by tears and a deep feeling of pride as I took him my arms. He was my soldier and he was home and I was so proud. There were lots of pictures and goodbyes. He was even interviewed for our local news. Then we headed home.
Home, this is where the emotions really started. Without going into too much detail, this is where the awkwardness sets in and the time to heal and reintegrate begins. I have to be patient and not push and if he wants to sleep, let him sleep. If he doesn't want to talk let him be silent. Distance does a number on relationships and war changes a person's soul. It also doesn't help knowing that he has to go back to Ft Dix for more debriefings and will be gone Wed afternoon until Sat.
That is where we are at now. I picked him up again last night and things are much more "comfortable". Knowing that this will be over in 3 days must be easing on his mind. So Mon he goes to Camp Rell in CT for final debriefings and returns home on Tues. More tugging at the heart strings. Let's move on already!!!
I am really looking forward to what lies ahead for us. We will never be the same couple we were 12 months ago but I know we will SURVIVE and be stronger than ever.
This is the letter I wrote to the families and soldiers of the 141st Medical Company to wrap up our website. I am considering reading it at our Homecoming Party in January.
It’s been 362 days since my husband first left for the mob station. It will be 3 more days until he is home in my arms for good. It has been quite a year. Sitting here last year this time I wondered how I could get through what we thought would be a 14-18 month deployment. How would I manage the household, the kid, the everyday process of being a responsible adult plus worrying about the safety of my husband and his unit? I guess there were two options:
1. Whining, crying and complaining
2. Face it head on making a positive experience out of a trying time
I chose to mark each day off the calendar as another day closer to a reunion and another day I had overcome and made the best possible for my soldier, my daughter and for myself. I didn’t do this alone I did it with the support of the Family Readiness Group. The 141 Family Support Group was filled with some of the most wonderful, caring, smart people I have encountered. I decided to throw my efforts into making this group the most functional and productive group we could have. We were a huge success. At this time, we have raised close to $6,000 for a kick- butt homecoming party planned for late January. We were able to provide our soldiers with some fun at the midway mark with a Luau Party in a box for each FOB. We have been on many outings such as the Circus, Disney on Ice, as well as some dough raising fundraisers. We had a great summer picnic thanks to the generosity of our liaison and fearless leader, AnneMarie Stonoha and most recently had a Halloween party for our FRG kids. I am very proud to have been a member of that group and I thank you all for everything you contributed to make the group as successful as it was. A more personal thanks goes to AnneMarie and Rich you guys were my rock- Thank You!! Malin, Nikki, Roman and Rosemary, you guys ROCK- Thank You!
So not to mislead you, there were plenty of the whining, crying and complaining days but that wasn’t the majority and it didn’t consume my existence. It wasn’t because I didn’t miss my husband so much at times I thought my heart would break or because I didn’t think about the sacrifices that our family was enduring day after day as our daughter learned something new or went to school for the first time. It was because I was proud of my husband and the other 53 soldiers in the 141st Medical Company for the work they were doing to help our fallen and wounded patriots, coalition forces and nationals. Whether I agreed with the war or not I was and am still proud of my soldier.
This deployment has taught me a lot about myself. I have learned how strong I actually can be. I have learned extreme patience. I have learned that the Army phrase " Hurry up and wait" is just that. I have learned that "FRAGOS gone wild" can both make your day or break your day in the same day. I have learned that the SITREP in Iraq looks very different than the situation report from home neither is harder or easier just different. I have come to grips with the fact that a year from now when my husband, daughter and I are pumpkin picking these last 2 days of waiting won’t have mattered in the grand scheme of things. I have made some life long friends that l share a special, unbreakable bond with and I will always cherish that. I have also had some dark times I hope never to have to encounter again. I will never be the same woman I was 12 months ago but I am a better woman for this experience. With that being said, LET ME BE CLEAR, I’ve done enough learning and never want to have to go through it again. Thanks for sharing the journey. The website will be up through the end of January. If there is anything you would like posted please let me know.
With caring,
Michelle Bolduc
I arrived at the New Britain Armory a little after 11am on Monday. Helped set up the snacks and coffee, hand out flags to the arriving families and then I waited, and waited, and waited. FINALLY, at 1:15 we got the call from the bus that they were getting off the exit and would be arriving any minute. DEEP BREATH! All of a sudden my heart was in my throat and I didn't know whether I needed to poop or throw up (sorry TMI). It was very similar to the feeling you get on race morning and you know that you've trained for this and you are so ready but you have no idea what to expect.
Anyway, he gets off the bus and the tears start. I couldn't help it. There he was standing in front of me, my husband looking all handsome and I was overcome by tears and a deep feeling of pride as I took him my arms. He was my soldier and he was home and I was so proud. There were lots of pictures and goodbyes. He was even interviewed for our local news. Then we headed home.
Home, this is where the emotions really started. Without going into too much detail, this is where the awkwardness sets in and the time to heal and reintegrate begins. I have to be patient and not push and if he wants to sleep, let him sleep. If he doesn't want to talk let him be silent. Distance does a number on relationships and war changes a person's soul. It also doesn't help knowing that he has to go back to Ft Dix for more debriefings and will be gone Wed afternoon until Sat.
That is where we are at now. I picked him up again last night and things are much more "comfortable". Knowing that this will be over in 3 days must be easing on his mind. So Mon he goes to Camp Rell in CT for final debriefings and returns home on Tues. More tugging at the heart strings. Let's move on already!!!
I am really looking forward to what lies ahead for us. We will never be the same couple we were 12 months ago but I know we will SURVIVE and be stronger than ever.
This is the letter I wrote to the families and soldiers of the 141st Medical Company to wrap up our website. I am considering reading it at our Homecoming Party in January.
It’s been 362 days since my husband first left for the mob station. It will be 3 more days until he is home in my arms for good. It has been quite a year. Sitting here last year this time I wondered how I could get through what we thought would be a 14-18 month deployment. How would I manage the household, the kid, the everyday process of being a responsible adult plus worrying about the safety of my husband and his unit? I guess there were two options:
1. Whining, crying and complaining
2. Face it head on making a positive experience out of a trying time
I chose to mark each day off the calendar as another day closer to a reunion and another day I had overcome and made the best possible for my soldier, my daughter and for myself. I didn’t do this alone I did it with the support of the Family Readiness Group. The 141 Family Support Group was filled with some of the most wonderful, caring, smart people I have encountered. I decided to throw my efforts into making this group the most functional and productive group we could have. We were a huge success. At this time, we have raised close to $6,000 for a kick- butt homecoming party planned for late January. We were able to provide our soldiers with some fun at the midway mark with a Luau Party in a box for each FOB. We have been on many outings such as the Circus, Disney on Ice, as well as some dough raising fundraisers. We had a great summer picnic thanks to the generosity of our liaison and fearless leader, AnneMarie Stonoha and most recently had a Halloween party for our FRG kids. I am very proud to have been a member of that group and I thank you all for everything you contributed to make the group as successful as it was. A more personal thanks goes to AnneMarie and Rich you guys were my rock- Thank You!! Malin, Nikki, Roman and Rosemary, you guys ROCK- Thank You!
So not to mislead you, there were plenty of the whining, crying and complaining days but that wasn’t the majority and it didn’t consume my existence. It wasn’t because I didn’t miss my husband so much at times I thought my heart would break or because I didn’t think about the sacrifices that our family was enduring day after day as our daughter learned something new or went to school for the first time. It was because I was proud of my husband and the other 53 soldiers in the 141st Medical Company for the work they were doing to help our fallen and wounded patriots, coalition forces and nationals. Whether I agreed with the war or not I was and am still proud of my soldier.
This deployment has taught me a lot about myself. I have learned how strong I actually can be. I have learned extreme patience. I have learned that the Army phrase " Hurry up and wait" is just that. I have learned that "FRAGOS gone wild" can both make your day or break your day in the same day. I have learned that the SITREP in Iraq looks very different than the situation report from home neither is harder or easier just different. I have come to grips with the fact that a year from now when my husband, daughter and I are pumpkin picking these last 2 days of waiting won’t have mattered in the grand scheme of things. I have made some life long friends that l share a special, unbreakable bond with and I will always cherish that. I have also had some dark times I hope never to have to encounter again. I will never be the same woman I was 12 months ago but I am a better woman for this experience. With that being said, LET ME BE CLEAR, I’ve done enough learning and never want to have to go through it again. Thanks for sharing the journey. The website will be up through the end of January. If there is anything you would like posted please let me know.
With caring,
Michelle Bolduc
Comments:
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awesome. thanks for sharing that with us. i thank your husband and all the guys and gals out there who are/were doing what they do. thanks everybody out there!
Thank you for sharinng!!! That is all I can say for now. We are 7 days into it and reading your letter came at the right time!!!!
Thanks,Liz
Thanks,Liz
# posted by 
: 2:07 PM
: 2:07 PM
Michelle, thanks for the insight. I could only imagine what you went through and I am impressed with how you handled it. It was tough. I hope you guys have a wonderful holiday season.
WOW. Many of us will not be able to comprehend entirely what you and your husband have been through. Thank you is not enough to express what all Americans should feel toward your husband (and the other soldiers) as well as their families.
Run Strong!
Run Strong!
So glad you have him home again, Michelle. Sounds like there is alot of stuff to work through as he comes back into the non-combat side of the world. I hope his transition goes smoothly. So happy for you both!
Thank you for sharing that with us, you're really awesome. And I'm proud of your husband and each one of the soldiers that daily risk their lives for our country. I also agree that you have learned enough about life, now it's time to get on with yours together with your husband and family.
My heart was so full while reading this. I'm so happy for you both. Thank you for sharing the letter and the experience with your readers--I'm in awe of your sacrifice, your commitment to your husband, and your determination to be strong for your daughter. I admire you so much! And again, thank you for sharing. It really, really uplifted and blessed me.
DARN YOU! You had me tearing so much I couldn't read the whole post. I am so happy for you that he's back.
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