My Supports

When I think of the supports in my day to day life I automatically think of the people in my life, technology, and my dog.  The people in my life consist of my husband, my parents, my friends and my Navy family.  The technology would be my phone, computer, and specifically email, texting and Facetime.  I also consider my dog, Mojo, to be one of my supports. 

My husband offers me the most support, he is always ready to listen and give advice and helps me through any challenge.  He is creative and has even found ways to be supportive when we cannot be together.  Although my parents are pretty far away they are still very supportive and are only a phone call away.  We still see each other a few times a year and they love visiting in the winter to get out of the frigid New England winter, I mean, to see my husband and I.  I have a few very close friends and although we don’t get to see each other often we always are there to talk to each other or send a quick text to check-in with each other.  My husband is an Officer in the Navy so our Navy family is scattered all over the world. These are the people who, at this point in my life, have offered me the most amount of support apart from my husband.  The military is a different way of life, you move to places where you know no one and then when you get to know people one of them is certainly getting ready to move.  I would say that I have met some of the most amazing people in the military and associated with it.  The friendships are established fast, unlike any other relationships I have had.  It is as if when I meet other military families we all know that we have to make the best of the time we have now and that we are all in the same situation.

                 Technology is another support, but I can imagine that it would not be as big of a support as it is if my husband was not in the military.  When he is out to sea or deployed, technology is a big piece that keeps us connected.  When he is in an area that supports wi-fi it is amazing to see his face and be able to look at him and have a conversation.  When he is able to text me it is also wonderful to have a real time conversation with him and be able to go back and forth.  We also send cards and letters to each other but email is how we communicate most with each other.  Through these means of technology we communicate to each other and it allows us both a sense of security that we are ok.

                  Last is my dog Mojo, a wonderful little companion.  I enjoy his company all the time but I especially appreciate it when my husband is not here.  There is something comforting in having him there when I get home and when he snuggles up with me while I do school work or watch a movie.  He also keeps me active and reminds me that we have to go outside multiple times a day. 

 

                I cannot imagine any of these supports not in my life but for the sake of this assignment I will think about my life without technology.  I can only imagine that saying god-bye to my husband would be harder if we did not have access to technology.  When I talk to some of the older spouses and how they relied only on letters and maybe a phone call when their significant others were in port, I can only feel blessed about the technology that we have available.  Without technology I would worry more, maybe be emotionally distraught and most likely rely on my other supports more.  Even nowadays the ships are not guaranteed to have a functional internet connection, and the system can be down for days depending on their assignment.  I have to remind myself not to become frustrated, that I have to appreciate it and how most of the time it allows me to be connected with my husband.