Everyone around us has been incredibly supportive. I have lost count of the number of people who have offered to help if we need it and I am very grateful for every offer. It is a real comfort to know that I have such great people here if I need anything.
What has surprised me is the offer of support from virtual strangers. The one that most stands out in my mind is the one that came this morning.
Dwight’s 10th birthday was yesterday, so we had a party with 5 of his friends. One of the boys spent the night and his father picked him up this morning before the boys left for Sunday school.
It was the second time I’d met the man, but the other time was even shorter than the pick up encounter this morning.
About an hour after the boys was picked up, my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number but I answered. The caller was Dwight’s friend’s Dad. He called to say that his son had told him that Dwight’s Dad had left for a two year deployment. He is an immigrant to our country and very grateful for his life here. He told me of the brutal murders of his family members, by the Japanese, back in the Philippines years ago. He then told me that he is a contractor and wanted to offer his help if I ever need anything fixed around the house.
It was clearly a genuine offer. He had gone out of his way to make the call to me. I am deeply touched by his gesture and if I ever need help, I will call on him.
I appreciate every offer of help. Thank you to all of my friends out there, you know who you are.
The Deployment Diatribes 