Part of Me Stayed

I've made this trip countless times ... with Lucy and my husband.  Driving to what seems like has truly become more like "home".  The staff at the Navy Lodge know me by sight & we always do a little catch-up when I come back.  Sometimes it's every week ... week and a half ... or two weeks.  

But it just seems like home now.  If not "home" then definitely my second "home".  

From the first time we made the journey when 'Joe came back to the States ... til now ... there's a sense of "family" on the Walter Reed campus.  As I look around & soak it all in ... every single person who is on this campus is there for a reason. 

Even the very youngest among everyone is there for a reason.  From the newborn & his 3 year old sister whose Daddy was injured in an explosion ... yes, my precious grandchildren. Tag was 11 days old ... and Lucy knew that Daddy got "boo-boos at work" ...

 To the unborn baby whose parents were transferred in order to get their precious unborn daughter the medical treatment she needs to even survive ...

To the parents awaiting their son to wake up from his coma after suffering a 

traumatic brain injury ...
To the young man who lost his leg in 2006 and is still undergoing surgeries ...
To the young family whose husband, Daddy, son, son-in-law, brother, cousin, friend was injured by an IED and is now a quadruple amputee.

Everyone is there for a reason.

I stand in awe of these families. They are amazing people ... my heroes.

If you are looking for a place to become involved ... a place to volunteer ... a place to pray for ... 

I encourage you to consider our military community. 

Military spouses serve alongside their loved ones by holding down the home-front -- sometimes alone, sometimes with children, sometimes with extended family.

Military children serve our country as well. They sacrifice time with their Daddies, Mommies, loved ones so that other children are given the same opportunities that they have.

Yesterday when I left the Walter Reed campus with Grandad & Lucy ... 

A part of me stayed behind.

And part of me will always be there.