I wanted to share a few stories on a few people that volunteered to help put a smile on my husband’s face when he was in Iraq. While he was over in Iraq he did have me and the kids to send him packages and a few from other relatives but I heard he wasn’t getting them very often. This got me to thinking, with the internet and all the groups I was in why couldn’t I just ask a few friends if they wouldn’t mind sending him a small care package or letter.
Someone beat me to this though, I had no clue that behind the scenes a few mothers were already working on this very goal. They didn’t have anyone in the military that was serving in Iraq or anywhere else overseas, but they really wanted to help. I had just sent off an email to the moderator when she replied to me that no I couldn’t send out a help me email, instead it was already going on…they just needed his address. This was a shock to me, granted I knew the ladies in this group very well I hadn’t been ready for a surprise that would touch me so much.
Slowly the packages, letters and gifts started to arrive at his camp. He would call me up and ask me, “Do you know a Joshilyn?” Or whatever name came to him that week. I could tell he was excited about getting mail. Sometimes he would get books while others would be snack foods that he would cherish and eat up with the guys right away. It didn’t take much to please these guys, all they wanted was to know that someone was thinking about them.
By the end he definitely felt loved and was still getting packages that arrived at our house after he had already came back. This was neat because even I got to see how much these ladies and gentlemen cared for us. My kids, they ended up with crocheted blankets that a few of the members made for them just because daddy was away. Knowing that my husband was getting packages when I couldn’t send them, always made me feel a little bit better. This was a great way to relieve some on the stress of the deployment off my shoulders. Thank you to everyone that ever sends a care package or a letter to a service member overseas, it really does matter to the entire family… not just the guy/girl that is receiving the gift.
For other family blogs read:
Gifts for a Military Wife Who’s spouse is Deployed
Volunteering Can Mean Sending Care Packages