A seemingly million miles away
I got a call from a customer recently who wanted to order a pair of my frankie & johnny pj's. She shall remain nameless, as I'm not even sure if she's a reader of my blog. The call was very routine...what size would you like, what style, where do you want it shipped to, etc. I could tell she was multi-tasking while speaking to me, with the occasional whimpers of small children in the background, calling for her attention. Since she was a new customer, I had asked her how she had found my website, and that's when it became interesting.
When asked how she found me, she replied "through my husband." Your husband, I asked. "Yes" she replied. (For those of you that may not be familiar with the types of items I sell, let's just say there may as well be a sign on the front door that says "Girls Only. Boys Keep Out").
So she began to tell me about her husband, who is currently serving in Iraq, and most likely will not be home for Christmas. To compensate for his absence, he was doing all of his holiday shopping online, for things that he thought she would like. Off in a faraway place, this soldier somehow came across my site, and picked out the cutest pair of blue and white toile cotton pajamas for his wife. My heart melted for this family in an instant.
This holiday season, when I am snuggled in my warm bed, in my still dark room, and I think about the blessings in my life, I will be thinking about this family. This mother of four small children, two of which are infant aged twins, and her husband who is a seemingly million miles away, serving in Iraq, and won't be home for Christmas. She'll be wearing her blue and white toile cotton pajamas, shutting off the lights on the tree, kissing her children as they drift off to sleep, with her husband a seemingly million miles away.
Please remember all of our troops this holiday season. They will be remembering us.
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Wow Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI got the goose bumps from that one.
Thanks for sharing that story with us.
Rosemary
Hi sweetie. What a beautiful story. I was feeding the feral kitties the other day and came out of the woods (always looks like I'm homeless) and stopped to talk to a Marine stationed on the bike path at the exit/entrance to my kitty trail. He was there to monitor a Marine endurance test. I'm sure he thought I was a homeless women, but he was kind and considerate and when I told him I didn't support the war, never did, but I supported the troups, we shook hands and he said "Thank you." I told him to please stay safe. It was a moment neither one of us will ever forget. It is humbling to look a very young man in the eye and know he might die for me. For a reason I still can't figure out. Don't worry my dear. I won't forget any of them this holiday season. I remember them every day with profound sadness and hope. I get to walk back to my BMW, drive to my lovely home, eat good food, feel safe, warm and content. Trust me, the contradiction never fails to escape me. Nor should it anyone else. I love you Jennifer. I'll email soon.XO Suzanne from CA p.s. I think you should contact your customer, give her the link to your blog and the opportunity to enjoy your words and the words of all the rest of us. It must be so stressful being the mom of 4 and the wife of a man so very far away. I can only imagine we would all be a comfort.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, that sweet story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDelete:)
Jennifer, thanks for the shot of reality and sharing the thoughtful gentlemen's story. I will keep this unknown family & other families as well in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteTracie
Jennifer, That was a wonderful story. I loved it. Really brings you back to reality.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, wonderful story! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteOh my, sometimes you just need a little something like that that squeezes your heart and makes you smile. Thanks for sharing your story with us!
ReplyDeleteOmgosh how lovely! I am still crying!!! Thank you Jennifer for sharing such a sweet story with us!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Susan
That is the sweetest story. Thank you for sharing with us the real meaning of christmas...love.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, that story made me cry! What a beautiful reminder of what this season is all about!
ReplyDelete~Angela :-)
Jennifer ~ What a sweet story. It gave me the chills! :)
ReplyDeleteThat made me tear up....we forget how much these families sacrifice for us!
ReplyDeleteManuela
Such a lovely story and so touching,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing
Victoria
Yes - I hear those kind of stories often as well. Other than writting for Saddle and Bridle, I also work for an airline. I do Military and Government contracts between the 2 and often speak to soldiers and their families. Some women gripe because their husbands have to work late..they should be in this wifes shoes!
ReplyDeleteA sweet & touching story! God bless our soldiers!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Barbara
That was so touching! I was in Starbucks this morning and saw that you could buy a pound of coffee and they will send it to a military person in Iraq.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I have a huge lump in my throat! God Bless this family and others who are without their loved ones at Christmas. I know their pain, having my son half way around the world...serving our Country, too. Tis very difficult having him not here with us. It just breaks my heart and makes me cry.
ReplyDeleteLove you....such a beautiful post.
Becky
What a touching, beautiful post. Thank you for sharing that and for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Dena
Not only was that true story beautiful, but blue and white toile pajamas would be my favorite thing to wear to comfort me if I were not with my husband. May God bless her Christmas richly.
ReplyDeleteAaahh, what a sweet post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that story.
love Alison x
Jennifer...
ReplyDeleteI will always remember!
Thanks...
Priscilla
Munchkin,
ReplyDeleteBeing apart from loved ones at holiday time or anytime is hard. I remember when you decided to "sow your oats" and move to Montana for a year and a half. You had never been more than 60 miles from home on your own, and here you were with you car packed with your "valuables" driving 15 hours straight to Montana (to me & Dad, it could have been Iraq). As we hugged you goodbye, tears weld up in my eyes and words would not come past the lump in my throat. Somehow I managed to say, please drive carefully and I love you. As I watched you pull out of the driveway I worried, did you have enough money, is your car in good shape, will you be warm enough in a Montana winter, who would take care of you if you got sick and every other possible harm. My baby was leaving the nest.... How fortunate are those that are not separated from their loved ones...
Love you soooo much,
Momma
Oh my gosh, that is the sweetest story ever. It certainly makes one stop and think, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story Jenn, brings tears to my eyes....
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny; what a sweet story. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Sunday
Cielo
Jennifer ~ Thank you so much for sharing that story~ I think we need to really really think about and pray for the men and women serving in Irag and their families ~
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteKate
Your story made me cry. My dad was overseas 'in harm's way' when I was born. We didn't meet until I was almost a year old.
ReplyDeleteThere are SO many like that. My friend's daughter recently got back to her baby from Iraq.
God bless our troops. It must be especially hard to be away this time of year...
What a wonderful story. She will have a wonderful Christmas knowing that her husband took the time in all that mess over there, to think of her opening gifts on Christmas morn. God Bless each one of our men and women over there and their families here.
ReplyDeleteHey - guess what? I got a very early Christmas present ...the new camera I wanted. I took just a handful of photos at the farm and WOW!! What a difference a camera makes!! Anyway - I sure wish I had that camera before your decorating contest...even if the winners house was AMAZING! If you have a minute - come over to my blog and see my new camera photos!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has done shopping for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.. just like that and even from Iraq last year. It still makes me cry to think how much guys love their families and just want to make it special the best way they can!
ReplyDeleteGod bless,
Sallie
What a wonderful and caring husband. I can't imagine what it must be like for military families esp. this time of year and with small children to boot. My husband and I just adopted a soldier through Soldiers Angels - it is a wonderful program that I posted about recently.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Karla
How beautiful that her hubby put her onto your website. He must be one special hubby thats for sure! :)
ReplyDeleteSiobhan xo
What a beautiful story...I have goosebumps!
ReplyDeleteMy own nephew is home from Iraq for the holidays and got to meet his newborn (well, new to him, she was born in the summer) daughter for the first time.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, what a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing this with us - truly heartwarming.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas dear one!!
xo,
Kim
deardaisycottage.typepad.com
Oh, how touching! So MANY good people are sacrificing so much for us. I wish there was a way that we could all voice our support for these families. Yes, we donate things to the troops when asked, but how do we help the families?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing that story -- my thoughts and prayers will continue for all of them.
xoxo,
Mary
Oh what a beautiful, heart touching story! I am the mother of five small boys and I cant imagine. That woman AND her husband are both heroes! Him for defending our country and her for acting as mommy and daddy while he does it! The troops are always in my thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing this. We need these kind of stories as things get lost in the shuffle this time of year!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Gosh, I don't know which story got to me the most - the one posted or the comment by Jennifer' mother. For every family missing a loved one at Christmas, for whatever reason, bless you all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful love story. And,the comments from your readers, including your mom, made it all the more special.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful, beautiful story, now I am in tears as I can only imagine how hard it is for this mom and her children right now. She has a wonderful husband, what a thoughtful man :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet story. If you have a minute, go to my blog and play the youtube peice I put up yesterday. I watched it a few times and boo-hooed...especially at the last scene!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year. God bless.
Terri
Amazing story, thank you for sharing! Your blog/site is GORGEOUS! It is no wonder you were given an award. And that pink package...I would have not been able to take my eyes off of it either!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend. I'm so glad I stopped by. I've bookmarked your sites to my computer favs!
~ Jillian