Isn't it ironic?

This week we have been blessed and we have been saddened.  You could say we (and by "we" I mean my husband) got to see the gift of life and the unexpectedness of death within 2 days.  No, I'm not talking about a birth; I'm talking about the uniting of a family that was 2.25 7 months ago and became 3 four days ago.  It was very different from any homecoming I've ever seen.  Let's just say my homecomings have been short and sweet.  There is no "formation" or "marching" or even stories told by the commanding officers (I wouldn't know a CO if he told me to get a haircut).  He arrives on 1 bus where I'm waiting 25 feet away, he gets off the bus, we take a few pictures, and "bounce" as my husband would say.  On this day, we waited 3 hours after rushing to get there because my friend got a text that said they would be there in an hour!  2 bags of snack-sized chips, 2 water bottles, and several announcements by a very moto Marine about ETA later, we were finally in place to receive her man.

Two days after this momentous occasion, my husband would be in Arlington National Cemetery to bury a comrade, a teammate, a brother.  He remarked at the homecoming about the irony of seeing a reunion and a death in such a short timespan.  You see, we don't get to walk blissfully ignorant through this life.  Every single day there is a reminder of how short life is.  I know how cliche that statement is, but you try being married to a military man for 1 year and tell me how much more aware of it you become.  This life is so fragile and delicate yet hardened and steadfast.  We have no choice but to laugh with those who laugh and mourn with those who mourn.  We cannot turn a blind eye to the news or pretend that increasing tension in the Middle East has little to do with us.  It has everything to do with us!  We are not special or chosen, we just do it.  We face every day with the the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace,  the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6).

This is not the first time my loyal husband has rushed off to bless another man he calls "brother".  I respect these times when he feels such devotion to others.  In fact, it makes me incredibly proud.  It is within this realm alone that I believe these men are so attached to one another that they would drive 12 hours in one day to attend a funeral.  The willingness of one to die for the other is fantastical; it's something you see in the movies but don't expect to happen in real life. But even with a burial in sight, my husband understands the importance of giving a homecoming its due as well.  Because no matter the job of the Marine coming home to his family, no matter the size of his family, he's still a Marine who's taken the same oath of service to God, country, Corps.  He's still a Marine who's been away for longer than he or his family would like.  He's honorable.

I find it an honor like no other to live this life next to my man.  God is strong for me and I am strong for my Marine.  I will gladly take the reunions, the births, the friends, hardships and struggles, and deaths over blissful ignorance any day.  We are more than conquerers though Him who gives us strength!