This Sunday is Mother's Day or D a de las Madres for us Hispanics/Latinos albeit in Spain it was on May 5 in Mexico today in Bolivia on May 27 and in Argentina not until October 20.
Nevertheless Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the United States y un muy Feliz D a de las Madres para todas las Madres hisp nicas/latinas.
Sufficient will be written and said about Mother's Day and to mothers by their children that I will not try to duplicate or outdo such.
However being a military type I wanted to share a touching story about military mothers.
The story by Sgt. Jesse Houk published by the American Forces Press Service starts as this The bond between a mother and her children is one of the most foundational and significant relationships between human beings. This connection is so profound that not even time and distance can separate a mother's love and devotion for her children.
Houk then introduces us to Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Sarah J. Campbell of Rochester Ill. who was separated from her two children Austin and Kiana ages 10 and four respectively while deployed to Kuwait from June 2012 to March 2013.
While on deployment this military mother tried calling her children every chance she got. It was hard sometimes hearing them continuing on with their day to day life and telling me their stories and what they did that day Campbell says.
Sgt. Jesse Houk
Campbell said she tried her best to be there for her children and admits she missed out on some things during her nine month deployment. The most obvious were the physical and academic growth of her children.The deployment was not only challenging for Campbell but also her children.
I really missed her Austin said. But I think it's cool that she's in the Army because she gets to shoot bazookas.
Although being away was difficult Campbell said the deployment provided time to reevaluate her priorities.
I got to reflect a lot about my life Campbell said. A lot of my reflection had to do with my children. Sometimes life overwhelms you or kind of throws you off track and my deployment really helped me reflect on who I want to be as a person a mother and soldier.
It's difficult to balance the commitments of being a mother and a soldier Campbell said. Yet she said there's a way to mesh the two. Her motherly instincts compelled her unit to give her the nickname of mother hen for the way she took charge during training.
It is difficult juggling National Guard obligations with the responsibility of being a mother but I feel they do complement each other at times Campbell said. I think being a mother helps me in my role as operations NCO because it's all about taking care of people.
Campbell said she discovered a lot about herself while on deployment. That time she added was vital in defining her priorities.
I would do anything for my children and for the military Campbell said. My children will always come first no matter what.
This soldier mother will be home with her children this Mother's Day. Many more serving their country will not.
We wish them a very special Mother's Day and we thank them for their Service.
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