Sunshine

For those who have known me for a long time, who have worked close to me, who have been a significant part of my life, they know how I feel about the word "sunshine."

When I started calling people "sunshine" I didn't even realize I was doing it. It wasn't until people started commenting on how it made them feel that I understood why I said it. 

When people made me feel happy, motivated, encouraged, I called them sunshine. When they brought joy, when they brought smiles, I used the word. It has always been reserved for those who have built me up, who have encouraged me, who have brought goodness in everything that they do. It has always been reserved to those with good hearts, with good intentions, with kindness.

It isn't a word I throw out. It isn't something that I make a point to use. It is a "name" that just fits with certain people in my life and in simple moments it comes out.

There is someone in my life who has become a mentor and a friend. Who I greatly respect and care for. She has been a great teacher and guide. She knows how I struggled - and am still struggling - with the idea ... no the reality ... that when we leave Fort Carson we will leave combat arms. She has heard me talk through the worry and confusion. She knows my faith. She knows my intentions. She knows what I hope to give every day that I am in this life. 

When talking it all out the first time we saw each other after all the changes came to be, when I told her how much I did not want to leave these families, she hugged me and said, "You have brought sunshine to this unit."

I don't think she knows what that word means to me. I don't think I really knew what the word meant to me.

I realized in that moment that that is how I hope to live my life - in every aspect - wherever it leads us.

I always hope to find joy, to give joy, but to bring sunshine, to makes things brighter ... that must be what we hope to do!

Make it so that your presence gives something positive rather than negative. There is too much negativity surrounding this lifestyle! Too much that can bring a new spouse down. That can crush the isolated, those who don't reach out. Be Positive! 

Positivity spreads. Seeing others thriving through makes us want to thrive through. We need to embrace the new spouses, mentor them, guide them, empower them. Teach them how to overcome the harshness and the difficulty and trials that are always present in this life. We need to encourage rather than judge. Share experiences rather than look down on those who don't have them yet.

Smile. Encourage. Empower.

Bring sunshine. Be sunshine. Love this life - love your soldier - commit in such a way that your hope and joy and determination radiates.

Bring hope.