Tuesday, April 19, 2011

"Homecoming Hug" Complete

Homecoming hugs are big life events.  It ranks up there with having kids, getting married, at least 20 of your most favorite Christmas Memories rolled into one celebration.  These events are shared with one peson or maybe a group of close family members.  Homecoming is unique. 

You have 250 marines and their families have just gone through a 7 1/2 month long deployment with you.  You met each other under difficult situations.  We were anxious and worried more often than we had ever anticipated.  Facebook became important as we developed rich relationships whose bond became as strong as our heros had with each other in that far away land.  As families we prayed and shared each others burdens and joys.  Meeting everyone at Camp Legeune was like coming home to a family reunion.  We really knew each other, even before we ever met.  Best of all, each one of us received the best hug anyone could ever get; our sons were safe at last! 



We lost nine amazing men.  They will never be forgotten by this band of 3/6 family.  Thank you Lord for my friends.  They are so dear to me.  I wish this deployment was only once, but all too soon our sons will go back and I will be praying for them again.  God answers your prayers.  So if you dont think there is much in that prayers remember your prayer and mine added together makes them stronger.  That's what keeps a military momma like me together.  At the end of a deployment relief is the homecoming hug we all look forward to. 

Take a good look at the painting.  This is an evening photo.  The nephew, Maddox shirt's logo.  The word Hero with the Marine Corp emblem is showing.  It was a hot sticky night at 2:00 am.  His niece Riley's hair is all over the place due to the humidity.  CJ's shirt is wet with sweat, they had just finished putting away their weapons before they marched out to see us.  In his hand is an Afghanistan rose (American Beauty, of course).  Group hugs are the best as Rachel grabs CJ and the kids.  A messy unashamedly wonderful hug.
In the background there is a dad carrying his son, a wounded warrior and his pregnant wife (all my paintings and prints sold, 10% will go to the Wounded Warriors).  In the greyed out distanse is my son Forest and the side body slam hug I received. 

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