The people in my house have rounded the corner and are feeling better. Everyone except little Dane. Dane had troopered through this week playing nurse to everyone, now it is his turn to be sick. Let me tell you, the kid is putting in an Oscar-worthy performance of a very sick, very little boy. Yes, he has a cold. Yes, he has a fever. Yes, he has a headache. But he’s giving Debra Winger (Terms of Endearment) a run for her money.
Being military we’ve been following the road to sequestration intently. Obviously something needs to give. Things need to change, and I am beyond thankful it is not my job to figure it out. One of the biggest pro’s the United States has is her diverse people & cultures. Unfortunately, when tough decisions need to be made it is that same pro that becomes a huge con.
We are not sure, no one is sure, how this will ultimately affect us. It is a scary place to be. The biggest change looming over our heads is Cole’s school. Military schools will be facing teacher loss, whether due to job cuts or the anticipated furloughs (4-day work weeks starting in April). I am saddened not just for the teachers, but also our kids. It is so hard to leave family & friends behind, and now military kids must lose out on education, and the continuity of school in a language they understand. Before civilian schools. Before civilian programs.
Our military works long days, long hours even those not deployed. Much of what they do is not seen by the public. Much of the safety people feel in their daily lives, the freedom to speak their minds, is provided by the tireless work of our military. It is hard on family. We pack our bags and go where we are told, we wait without word, we love from afar. There is not a lot of support for us, many times our friends & family turn their backs thinking we have choices. We did have a choice, we choose to serve.
Now even one of our smallest benefits, American school in a foreign country, is being whittled away. It makes me sad. It worries me for the future of our country. I see such wealth and care for the people, all the people, here in Germany. And I do not understand why the US cannot provide this to her people.
Christian graduated from Patch Barracks High School, here in Germany, almost two years ago. It is a fantastic school. It is tough. It is fair. It works hard to help our children, our future, succeed. He is now in the final stages of training to be a Marine. I am so proud of my son. I worry for his future. I worry for Cole’s future. I hope his opportunities will be the same, as strong, as they have been for Soren & Christian.
Dave giving Soren the side-eye on Christian’s graduation
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