Ranger Wife

       In the last year and a half I have been introduced to a new way of life, even a new world. The military world. It is a crazy world where you live in denial most of the time. You pretend that your husband is on a boring business trip, instead of in the heat of a war zone. You carry on with your many responsibilities as if nothings missing, etc... So, to the outsider it may seem like this lifestyle comes natural to me, that it's not that hard for me. They think that I must be a different kind of person than they are, to be able to live this way. Now, I can't speak for all military wives, but that is just not the case. I have become a person I never thought I was capable of being. I have become a bit...numb to my actual situation. I carry on as if I've lived this way my whole life.
 I love the quote, "You never Know how strong you are until you have to be..." ....It's so true! 

            Women say to me daily "Oh, I could never do that! I would die!" or "I get sad when my husband is gone for a day! There's no way I could do it!" ....yes you could. You just wouldn't want to, and neither do I. That last one can be kind of offensive. Do you honestly think that I'm okay, because I don't miss my husband as much as you would? Or that I must not love my husband as much as you love yours, or I wouldn't be able to let him go for so long? I don't get it. My husband and I are best friends. He is my EVERYTHING. I would never spend ONE DAY without him if that was possible.I'm not one of those wives that enjoys her private time, or that NEEDS those girls nights. I really, truly enjoy my husband's company more than ANYONE else. When something happy or sad happens, he is the first person I want to call. (this may be cheesy, but it's true) He is the first thing I think about when I wake up, and the last thing in my mind  as I drift to sleep. I get made fun of because I talk about him ALL the time. When I go out to eat, I have to tell everyone what his favorite dish is. When I am shopping with my mom, I'm sure to tell her what Kyle would think of every outfit. It's probably really annoying.  (sorry to anyone that has had to witness this!)


     Bottom line is- I love and miss my husband more than you can imagine. Or maybe you can. Just imagine how much you would miss yours if he was gone for ten months and you could only communicate through letters for half that time, or four months and you could talk on the phone. I'm sure it's very comparable. I'm just like you, I've just been put in different situations that cause me to call on different strengths. We all have our different trials, and deal with them differently. I'm sure you've been through things that would make me think "I could never do that! I would die!" We aren't such different people. You could do this too, if you had to.

       I don't recommend it, it's not very fun at all. Heaven knows I hate mowing the lawn pregnant on a hot day, or taking out the stinky trash when I should be able to make the Mr. do it...haha In reality, it isn't those things that bother me. I have had to do a lot of things I didn't think I could in the last year and a half. (most of them with an enormous belly:) So, I have come to believe I can do anything. With the help of my Heavenly Father, I can do anything.
           It's my kids that make it hard. When Khloe says "Mom, I wish Daddy was here." or when she packs a bag and says she is going to the Army to get her daddy. The other day she told me that when she got big and strong she was going to go in the Army and fight the bad guys for daddy. She said she was going to protect him and that he would cheer for her and yell "KHLOE! KHLOE! KHLOE! GO KHLOE!". She is such a doll.  She adores her daddy and seems to understand that he does dangerous work, but work that is necessary. She is wise beyond her years. She never asks why someone else can't fight the bad guys instead of HER dad. She is just proud of him for what he does. Krue needs his daddy around to show him what a man should be. Kyle is such an amazing dad, and Krue hasn't even gotten to experience that yet. Kyle always talks about how he can't wait to play on the floor with him for hours! He feels like he has missed so many milestones of Krue's already, and it breaks his heart. That's the stuff that is the hardest for me.
            I have been blessed so much throughout this process, and throughout my life. I can't pretend that I'm so strong that I do it by myself, because that simply isn't true. I am never alone in this. My Heavenly Father has been there with my every step of the way, and I am eternally grateful for his hand in my life. Thanks to all of the wonderful, supportive people in my life. You have all helped my immensely in this, and I'm so grateful to you!  I am also so proud of the man Kyle has become, and for the work that he is doing. He is fighting to keep us safe, and to keep us free. What an amazing calling. I love my sweet little family, and I will continue to do everything I can to support and take care of them. I may get lonely sometimes, I may get overwhelmed, but I am a Ranger Wife. A proud one. 

Ranger Wife Creed:

Recognizing that I accept the life of a Ranger's Wife, fully knowing the hardships ahead of me, I will always strive to uphold the honor, the loyalty, and the trust of my husband, the Ranger!

Acknowledging that a Ranger Wife is a more elite wife who stands behind her Ranger, wherever he may be, I accept the fact that as a Ranger Wife, my husband expects me to encourage and stand behind him always!

Never shall I fail my Ranger. I will always keep myself strong, brave, and faithful. I will shoulder more than my share of the responsibility, whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some!

Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected woman. My courtesy to my husband, neatness of appearance, and care of our family shall set the example for future wives to follow!

Energetically will I meet the demands of my Ranger. I shall stand by my man in peacetime and in war, knowing HE IS THE SUPERIOR SOLDIER. Never will I leave my Ranger for another, and under NO circumstances will I embarrass him!

Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to let my Ranger go, knowing he may never return to me– his Ranger Wife!!

Willingly will I let him go, not knowing where or for how long he will be gone, always hoping, praying and believing for his safe return and the safe return of his comrades!

Intensely will I wait for his return, anticipating the gallantry and honor– my Ranger, a hero, standing beside with pride and passion!

Forgoing all others needs except for those of my Ranger, knowing one day he will forgo all others for me– his Wife!

Enthusiastically will I carry on my daily routine, even when he's away, never forgetting he left behind his strength, his honor, his heart, his Ranger Wife!

Signed:

Taunie Carter , Ranger Wife

PS.  Trying my best to live by the creed.  Not easy, but possible.