Honoring Military Families: A Month of Reflection and Gratitude

That’s my mom, right there. She is probably my biggest fan, although my big sister would disagree because she has always called me her "SHERO." We didn’t grow up in a military family. My granddaddy served in World War II, but he never really talked about it. As I approach my 26th year in the military, I reflect on all the moments that helped to shape the person I am becoming. I owe a great deal of love and gratitude to my family, that’s for certain. 

November is Military Family Appreciation Month, and for me, it’s a time to pause and honor not only military families everywhere but the family that shaped my journey from day one. I may not have a traditional military family by today’s standards—I’m a "never been married" single without children—but my family is a close-knit web of parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and more. Mostly raised by my "Granny," I grew up surrounded by an extended family who filled my life with love, encouragement, and laughter. They supported my military journey from the beginning, when I first dreamed of joining in sixth grade. 

My family is the heart of who I am, my biggest supporters, my safety net. My aunt calls me “her butterfly” because even though I’ve had to leave home time and again, she says I always manage to “flutter back home.” My cousin even calls me her “cus-ter” (cousin-sister) after all the time we spent together following my Granny’s passing. These little endearments and bonds mean the world to me. 

Leaving family never gets easier, but we’ve found ways to bridge the miles. I remember long hours spent on Zoom or Messenger, just “hanging out” virtually, as if we were right there in each other’s living rooms. My aunt, cousin, and I even came up with a dice game that we’d play remotely while I was stationed in Germany, rolling dice on each end and laughing as though we were seated around the same table. During deployments, I’ve kept a small Q-tip container in my pocket, filled with tiny trinkets from family and friends. It’s my way of carrying them close to my heart, a physical reminder that no matter how far I go, I am never alone. My brother and nephew have a growing collection of souvenirs from all the places I’ve been, while my nieces and I have endless videos filled with goofy filters and pure silliness, bridging the time and distance with laughter. 

Last year, I realized how easy it is to let good intentions pile up without action. One morning, I woke up, decided to act on those intentions, and drove five hours to visit my 85-year-old great aunt and her sister. I cherish the memories of that trip, a precious reminder to live with intention and love in the present moment. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to witness so many family dynamics within my own family and within military families around me—each one uniquely special, each sacrifice deserving of honor and gratitude. This month, as we honor military families, I hope we all take a moment to reflect, love, and be grateful for the connections and memories that make life rich. 

As we approach the holidays, let’s remember to honor those who have sacrificed for our sacrifice, to cherish those we hold dear, and to love like our life depends on it—because, in many ways, it does.