Military Families

We should think of our families in the military year round and what they do for our freedom, but can you imagine being in their shoes, missing some "critical family time", what about missing a holiday? Living in our area, we often see this firsthand meet many people who have experienced these situations. For this blog I wanted to reach out to many of my clients and friends that are in the military and get their take on a few questions. People answering included, but were not limited to those from the Air Force, Navy, and Army: Master Sergeant, Lieutenant Commander, Missile Technician Senior Chief, and Corpsman: both men and women. I asked what "Winter Holiday" these families celebrated and all answered "Christmas", "Holiday" here will refer to Christmas. So let me turn it over to them. (Images include are of some of our Military Clients, but are not displayed in order of their response, some responses are not from people photographed, and some photographed did not complete responses).

1. How have you handled being separated from the family during the holidays?

"Your heart always aches when the person you love is away from home, especially when you know they're in harm's way. But it's especially tough during the holidays, and much more so when you have children. My son was not even a year old yet [when husband was deployed], so for me it wasn't so much what my son was missing, but what his dad was missing. He missed his 1st Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, etc..., not to mention 1st words, steps....I handled it by making him as much a part of it as I could by taking tons of photos and videos, so he still got o be a part of things through those mediums. I actually emailed him at least a dozen photos every day."-Wife of a Navy Senior Chief who is currently in Afghanistan-2 children

"We have experienced being apart during the holidays throughout are almost 17 years together which is not fun, but survivable by spending it with family and not alone. We keep busy. Occasionally we would be able to email and rarely if possible a phone call throughout the deployment would be allowed to occur. Those also help, but make you miss them even more."-Wife of MTCS, 1 child

2. What prepares you for separation?

"There is really no way to prepare! We enjoy the time before he leaves as a family because you never know what can happen. We do not sit around crying and feeling sorry for ourselves that would be a waste of time."-Wife of an Air Force Master Sergeant E-7-1 child

"We try to write lots of cards and notes to open on different days, and pack little gifts and pictures for him to open. I make plans and visit with friends and family for much of the time, and we have a strong support from the base to help us when it seems difficult."-Wife of a Navy Lieutenant Commander w/ one child

3. What is the longest you have been away from your family while serving in the military? What things help you stay connected?

"1 year, Email and the occasional phone calls were treasured"-Air Force E-6

"I have been gone for 7 months. I have deployed to Iraq 5 times and many other countries in the last 15 years. We stay connected through the internet and phone calls. My wife sent lots of care packages with my favorite stuff"-Air Force Master Sergeant E-7, 4 children

4. What is the worst thing about being away from your family while serving in the military?

"Right now, it is missing out on seeing our son grow. He is always changing, and even with pictures along the way, it's still a shock to see him after so long, and to think about how much I missed"-Navy Lieutenant Commander-1 child

"For the family, the worst thing is the unknowns. I always say, if I had a guarantee he was safe and would return alive and well, I could deal with the whole thing so much better. But every time I go a couple of days without hearing from him, the nagging questions start, Is he ok? Has he been hurt? Is he safe? Etc...."-Wife of Navy Senior Chief-2 children

5.  What are your plans for family during this holiday season?

"This season is especially bittersweet, because my husband will deploy the day after Christmas. We're so grateful he'll at least be here Christmas day. But he really wanted to be able to see the kids enjoy their new gifts before he had to leave, so we've decided to bump everything up a few days and pretend Christmas is the 22nd and 23rd instead. -Wife of Navy Senior Chief-2 children

"My husband's family will be with us for Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas day we will be enjoying our son's 1st Christmas! Lots of pictures will be taken!"-Wife of a Navy Lieutenant Commander-1 child

6. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

"Christmas Eve, having my dad read the Bible and Twas the Night before Christmas-A tradition that I would like to carry on with my kids"-"Air Force E-6

"Decorating the tree together"- Air Force Master Sergeant E-7

7. What advice would you give to other military families who's loved ones are deployed this season?

"Stay strong; you will have many more holidays together! Make it a happy day for your children; don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself."-Air Force Master Sergeant E-7-4 children

"Make the best of it by making them a part of your celebration even if they are not physically there. Pass around a video camera so everyone can tell your loved one they’re thinking of him or her, send lots of pictures and a package of their favorite holiday treats. And they love to decorate for the holidays even if they're stuck away from home. One year, some people sent a whole bunch of Christmas trees to my husband's base in Afghanistan. It lifted everyone's spirits, whish is so important over there." -Wife of Corpsman-2 children

8. What do portraits mean to you?

"Pictures are a wonderful way to keep a memory, and portraits are usually taken when some important event is taking place. Having a portrait from that event is a way of keeping that event close by, so every time you look at it you can relive the memories." -Navy Lieutenant Commander

"Portraits mean a lot to us! That is all we have of some family."-Air Force Master Sergeant E-7

To celebrate Military Families, if your immediate family (Mom or Dad) are serving in the military (here or abroad) we will give you two Accordian Wallet Books (up to 14 pictures) with your paid session in Jan. 2012.  To recieve this offer, you must link our blog to your facebook page, comment that you are receiving a session with us in January on the blog, and call us to schedule and have your session before Jan. 31st 2012-904-412-8178.  If part of your immediately family is currently serving, this would be a great a gift to send to them!!!!