Military Wives Matter: Support for Today's Military Spouse

          Photography is a lesson in patience, timing, and opportunity.  My tulip and butterfly shots are perfect examples of making the most of a brief moment.  The first occured late in the afternoon, when for a period of twenty to forty minutes, the sunlight was natural, filtered, soft, and dappled.  It is my most favorite lighting to shoot in and to work with.  The drawback is, that when the light is like this, I have to work fast, because it doesn't last.   I had to arrange and rearrange the flowers, shift the background, and read the lighting, all within a short period of time.  When trying to create a gorgeous composition, each second and split-decision matters.
      Shooting the butterfly was all about observation and timing.  The plants over which the butterflies were hovering weren't beautiful.  They were simple garden weeds, lying at the base of paddock fences. Gardners would rip these flowers  from their beds and most passing by wouldn't notice them.  To photograph the butterfly, I had to choose an area with lots of  flowers and wait, and wait, and wait.  In my first attempts, I moved from clump to clump.  I quickly learned that, as soon I moved from one clump to another,sure enough, a butterfly would land on the one I had walked away from in impatience. Impatience cost me an opportunity or what would have been a great piece. Waiting and observation seemed to be the recipe, in this set-up,  for getting a great shot.     
      It is said that life often imitates art; I find this especially relevent to my life.  My current circumstances require me to be patient, observant, and open to opportunity.  A friend of my recently shared with me that she was amazed how cheerful I am, despite facing deployment, a move, and relocation. She said that she sees that I just celebrate and live in the moment.  She shared that I was inspiring her and challenging her to find joy in the everyday. 
       I was deeply touched, but a little taken aback, because I don't view myself in those terms.  Cheerful?  Me? I think maybe a more appropriate sentiment would be pratical.   I thanked my friend, but I confessed that any strength, patience, or cheerfulness came not from me, but from God above. You see, I am not patient by nature; I am an A-line personality who wants things done yesterday and done well and done properly.  I know my personal weaknesses and my flaws; I just work everyday to overcome them. More importantly, I have a set of young eyes that are looking to me as a role model, absorbing my cues and my emotional vibes.
       Truth?  I am not overly thrilled with any of my circumstances.  If I could change any of them, from my husband's leaving for deployment, to moving, to being without family, I would.  But, the facts are that I can't change my circumstances; what I can control is how I respond to the situations.  Yes, I've cried; I've been anxious and worried and down.  And, I own those feelings of sadness; I would be a heartless wretch if I didn't have them.  However, I refuse to let the dark clouds hover for too long.  I have my cry, take a deep breath, and move on with the tasks at hand. I choose to be cheerful, cheerfully resigned, perhaps, but positive none-the-less.
    For I know, just as when working with filtered light or  photographing butterflies, I have to make the most of  each opportunity as it comes.  I haven't always been so accepting or so patient; I have my regrets, made plenty mistakes, and  burned too many bridges.  But, like a butterfly, I hope I've evolved  and grown as I've matured. So, I choose to celebrate today.  I also choose to make my move as positive and as fun of an adventure as it can be for myself and my child.  When friends and family ask me how will we live in a home with no belongings? Or, what will I do, if, when my husband comes home,  and our house hasn't sold? I respond, "I don't know- I'm not there yet."  What I do know is that the yesterday can't be replayed, tommorrow isn't here yet, and today is what needs tending to and needs my attention.  And, I also know, that whatever happens, God's timing, the moment, the opportunity will be just what I need.  All  I need is to be patient, aware, and cheerfully resigned.