I Have A Story To Tell You...

It had come down to the last few months of the deployment, but the soldier who should have been relishing the fast paced days, was dreading his upcoming assignment. The previous month was already a blur after prepping for the Promotion Board and Soldier Of The Quarter (both of which directly affected his career), and yet they paled in comparison to the impending task. As anxiety coursed through his veins, he boarded the helicopter in the dead of night to fly under the cover of darkness. Getting to the base in one piece was only the first hurdle.

After some shut eye, the soldier awoke and with a new day and new surroundings, to find that his perspective had shifted a bit. Funny thing, perspective. His anxiety was a bit relieved by reuniting with his buddies, and he actually found himself enjoying this larger FOB. The man who doesn't like sweets, savored the fact that he could have ice cream on his apple pie and was even excited to do some shopping in the PX. Studying was suddenly put on the back burner, as he tried to pretend that he didn't have this looming over him.

Mentally he was checking out.Now what to tell the wife...

He worried that she would be disappointed in him, and the thought of letting her down brought new waves of anxiety. Somehow he pushed through that anxiety and made it known to her that this had become somewhat of a vacation and studying was becoming no short of impossible. He braced himself for what was to come, but was left stunned when she let out a chuckle and told him that she understood. She had been understanding and supportive throughout the deployment, but this time? With so much on the line?  It was as if she lifted the world right off his shoulders.

What he didn't know was that his wife had expected this. It wasn't that she expected him to fail; it was that she knew that he would inevitably hit a wall. Anyone else would have hit it even sooner, and she was more surprised that he lasted this long. She had resigned herself to the fact that he might not win, but she didn't want her pressuring him to be his downfall. She knew that her support and understanding could be a lot more powerful than any encouragement or nagging.

The dates for the board were pushed back, which could be seen as a blessing, but although it did give the soldier more time to collect himself and study, it also left him ill when the event arrived. The tension was back in full force and his wife knew it. She did the only thing she could think of. She sent him some inspiration, and luckily, the perfect inspiration had just presented itself to her.

"In case you need some extra inspiration this morning, I found this in the book I am reading and instantly thought of you. I am so proud of you and all that you do. You are the most amazing man, and I love you. 'Easing off does not make the going easier. Neither does it guide one to the desired destination. Most men ease off when the going gets rough. Most slow down when the road appears treacherous. These are the times when you must feel the weight of your future on your shoulders- the throbbing, unstoppable strength of destiny coursing through your veins...Times of calamity and distress have always been the producers of the greatest men. The hardest steel is produced from the hottest fire; the brightest star shreds the darkest night.' "

She only hoped that it reached him in time.

To be continued...