been thinking

Lately I’ve been thinking so much about parents who, for whatever reason, are raising children on their own.

I’ve been thinking about my grandmother whose husband, Lester, went overseas to fight when my dad was just months old. He died fighting in France leaving my grandmother to raise my dad on her own.

I’ve been thinking about Joe’s grandmother whose husband also left to fight in WWII leaving her with 2+ kids to raise on her own. Ira “Top” was gone so long that Joe’s mom, just two at the time, wasn’t sure who her daddy was when he returned.

I’ve been thinking about all the moms and dads today who repeatedly say good-bye to their spouses in order for them to serve in our country’s military. They are left alone for months on end with the challenge of rearing the children on their own.

I’ve been thinking about all the single parents who alone, day in and day out, meet the continuing needs of their children, with no relief in sight.

I’ve been thinking about these individuals and am in awe of them. I have my parents under the same roof for help and yet I am exhausted. Five weeks could seem like an eternity until I compare it to one of these. But instead, it becomes just a moment in time that I can weather through.