Welcome Home ~ Grocery Shopping

You would think that once Marine was back on U.S. soil that things would just magically fall back into place and we would carry on as if he hadn't been gone 7 months.

Wrong (Well to an extent).

Emotionally, I was surprised how easy and natural it was to have him home. There was no awkwardness --- something after reading several articles I was prepared for.

Some said that it would take time to reacquaint yourselves and that at first intimacy may be missing or awkward.

Yeah we didn't have that problem!

As far as me and Marine being a couple we were fine.

Sure there was some readjustment but nothing like I had feared.

Today I read an article by an Air Force Wife over on Spouse Buzz titled Reintegration Fail. She tells about her first shopping trip with her husband and mentions his eager "eat whatever this is or starve" attitude.

The article made me smile as I recalled mine and Marine's first grocery shopping trip which was very similar to hers.

We entered the Super Wal-Mart with just a few items on my grocery list. You know the basics for lunch and diner.


We approach the deli and I reach for my normal pack of Honey Baked ham. Marine is standing starstruck by the choices. He reaches for a pack of turkey and roast beef.

I gently tell him for just the two of us we don't need 3 sandwich meats. He pauses and puts the roast beef back and placing the turkey in the buggy.

The chip aisle presents an overwhelming new world of possibilities.

"Look at all the different kinds of Doritos!" He exclaims.  " Are these new? I don't remember seeing this kind before....."

Before I can respond he's moved on down the aisle. "Pita chips! These look good. We gotta get these."

In the buggy they go. Along with a bag of Santeria Tortilla Chips because god forbid we go without them.

Each aisle was an adventure as he remembers the foods he has gone months without.

More and more is added to the buggy and my meager list has been all but forgotten.

I remind him that he's only home for 2 weeks and there is no way I'll eat all this by myself. He hears my protests and guarantees though that we will eat all this while he's home. Besides some of it's non-perishable soups and stuff so if we don't eat it it will keep.

I know we won't eat it all and two weeks later I remind myself of his statement as I sadly throw away a pack of chicken that I didn't freeze because "we'll eat it tonight" yet tonight never came.

I had decided to pick my battles. And this was not a battle worth fighting.

I mean after eating stuff like this for 7 months who was I to tell him we didn't need 3 different types of salsa?

MRE

Marine Cooking On His Cook Stove he took with him

He lost nearly 30 pounds in those months so I figured let him buy extra groceries. Gotta fatten him up somehow.

The Grocery Store....... Just a Grocery Store or a Magic Place of Wonder? It's all in the eyes of the beholder.

Dealing With The After Effects

When I first saw Marine I knew that nothing had changed between us.

At the same time I was sure he had seen things that would have a lasting impact on him and his outlook on things.

It had been a long seven months apart.

If your reading this you've probably been there and understand.

Marine is one to downplay most things. He doesn't like attention and he doesn't dramatize. He is a cold hard facts kinda guy.

I knew not to ask questions. He would talk about it if and when he was ready.

It started slowly.

Little bits of information; insights into what the months had been like for him.

He tells me of one particular event in which a comrade was seriously injured.

The guy survived but lost both his legs.

I just listen, not really knowing what to say.

Weeks later we are out one night with friends. Marine, who normally doesn't drink much, has one to many drinks.

As I drive home he breaks down.

"I think about it every day," he says. "I can't help it. Each and everyday I replay that moment over."

I pull off and just hug him. Holding him in my arms and he mumbles.

He keeps apologizing.

I tell him not to. After all thats what significant others are for --- to share things, to be supportive, to listen and try to understand.

The moment last only a few minutes and then Marine pulled himself together asking that I not tell anybody and that we forget about it.

For the night I respect his wishes.

But the next morning without directly mentioning it I ask if he is ok.

He tells me his and thanks me for listening.

-------------------------------------------

Days pass and neither of us mention it again. But now when people ask him about Afghanistan I want to run up and throw my arms around him. To protect him. I know he thinks about it daily. The things he saw and the people that were lost. But he doesn't tell anybody about that.

His answer is always vague and tells only of positive things.

I am so proud of Marine. It is because of guys like him that we can rest in peace every night.

Thats my being sentimental of the day......

Semper Fi


(I know I'm vague but I feel like even being anonymous I still shouldn't share Marine's secrets ~~~ but I will say proudly that Marine is going to be receiving a special award in the future.)