I changed over time, but time did not change me. I had to continuously choose to "fall back" and develop this as a way of thinking. That's not an easy thing to do when you're an aggressive, no-nonsense dude like me. Acting on my faith in Christ is what changed my mind and changed me, allowing me see that love requires that I demonstrate what it is to be my wife's support in a sacrificial manner.
Here is something for Valentine's Day - a re-post of one of my blog entries about demonstrating my love and support for my wife after a difficult week.
It is the end of a tough week for my wife. She had some VIPs and had to deliver a briefing today. After 16 years as a male military spouse, I think I've finally learned how to give her the best support.
Friday is always a good day. The feeling of coasting downhill is what I have and it makes the hilly drive to pick up my daughter from school a lot more enjoyable.
Today was really about cleaning up and making a relaxing environment for my wife so she could really get comfortable, unwind her mind and get rid of the stress. So, I tackled housekeeping tasks throughout the day, focusing on the areas of high impact - bathrooms, bedrooms and laundry.
When she arrived at home, she acknowledged the effort immediately by stating that I must have read her mind. I laughed and replied: "We're 40. We have the same mind."
We've been together now for 19 years. I know my wife. She knows me. I'm no longer afraid of this fact. This is one key to success in this marriage and my role.
I'm my wife's MWR, her support. Corny, but true. While she's out front, I've got her back.
Taking care of my wife means taking care of my health first, our daughter second, and then the rest of the home-front. I don't have to do it all in one day, but in a day, I have to do it all. I don't have to overwhelm myself by thinking that I have to accomplish everything in one day. But I do have to work daily towards accomplishing the things that are most important to my family.
My heart goes out to all of the military spouses who are trying their best to figure this thing out, especially to all of the male military spouses. There are many books written about this life and many opinions on how to go about it.
Advice I give to new male military spouses today: Together with your active duty spouse, plot your own course and learn to adjust along the way to get where you want to go. Don't be afraid to be wrong. Be quick to accept correction and move on.
Today as a military spouse, I learned that the best way to support my wife after a tough week is to make her home relaxing and comfortable and give her room to breathe.
Be encouraged. It's Friday.
Lingo Alert: MWR = Morale, Welfare and Recreation, abbreviated MWR, is a network of support and leisure services (see AAFES) designed for use by U.S. servicemembers (active, Reserve, and Guard), their families, military retirees, veterans with 100 percent service-connected disability, current and retired DoD civilian employees, and other eligible participants.
Taurus James is an Air Force male military spouse and stay-at-home-dad, minister, musician and composer of Moody instruMental Music. He is also professional IT Consultant and Web Developer with over ten years experience working within various industries. Find out more about Taurus through his blog:
"Faithwalk Music: Faith, Music and Life of a Moody instruMental Musician"
See taurusjames.com for more!
