One Last Time

The soft light of morning washed over him through our front door as he put on his jacket. Today was the last day that he will wear his uniform. He turned to look at me, a mix of emotion in his eyes. "Take my picture." I grabbed the camera and pressed the shutter, my own emotion settling over me with each click. He stood at rest for a final time. The day we had been waiting forever for was finally here and it was the definition of bittersweet.



As he stood in our hallway, I was transported back to his graduation at Lackland. I was walking through the crowd of new airmen, trying to find mine. I remember feeling that he was near before I saw him. When we embraces, I knew I was holding a changed man. He was still my crazy and fun husband but there was a new level of respect in the way he carried himself, especially when he was in his uniform. As we explored the base, he kept pointing out airmen who were doing disrespectful things while in uniform and even to an unknowledgeable civilian it was sad to see.
I thought about my great uncle Sam who served when he was younger. I thought of his service picture he has shown me a million times, heard his story of nearly freezing to death in Korea and the pride woven throughout those words. I thought about my mom's dad who served in the navy. His stories are filled with amazing tales of visiting several new countries, traveling the seas and even losing friends. Even in his tales of loss, I hear the honor he felt in his service. I thought of both of Josh's grandfathers. His mom's dad - quiet, stoic, the rare stories he tells of his heyday and the light in his eyes when he goes back to that time. I think of my father in law's father, a man I never had the chance to meet but a man that has inspired my husband. the man my husband falls silent for as taps plays over the base at night. I think about how honored I am to have a husband that understands the respect needed to wear his uniform, the respect that a lot of new military members seem to have forgotten. Even though this may be the end of his service and that it was short-lived, I know our entire family is so proud of his sacrifices. I know in my heart that his grandfather is looking down at him from wherever he is, proud to have his grandson become an amazing and honorable man, and to have that man follow in his footsteps. For now, we are taking it day by day and seeing where this new journey will take us.