Yesterday I wrote most of my post for this week, but after talking to Timyra last night I changed my mind. Timyra has been really strong, at least on the outside. The only time she’s shown any distress was on the way to the airport when they dropped me off on June 4th. She cried all the way there and all the way back. Since then she’s been nothing but helpful. She is sleeping with Taylyn and making sure everyone else is ok.
I call most days, and on the call I found out the evening before Timyra was acting out and would not go to bed. When I had the chance to talk to her she took the phone and hid underneath a chair to talk to me. She never takes the phone to talk in private. I asked her about the night before and she said, “Mom it’s just not fair that her mommy has to leave and her friend’s mommys don’t have to leave.” I was heart-broken. I really wanted to reach through the phone and give her a hug, and of course I couldn’t.
I held back the tears the best I could and told her to ask her Grandfather about what fair means. I remember when I was a teenager I was whining about something my sister received that I didn’t and stating that wasn’t fair. My dad promptly stated fair does not mean equal. Fair is getting what you need when you need it, not having the same as the person next to you. Yet, Timyra is correct too, it’s not fair. I want to be home and it sucks. Although right now I need to be in Afghanistan and my babies are safe, healthy, and happy. Our family is not equal to her friend’s family, but it’s still fair. We all have everything we need and I’m needed here and we still have each other!
It is sad but my babies are learning to stick together and take care of each other. Plus this is a special year with their grandparents!
On another note, a quick update on the recycling effort. I am filling a box at my desk and I am spreading awareness. All day there are people stopping by to put their caps in box so I can take them to support the wheelchair funds. It’s small, but it’s something.
Darchelle's Vacation with Uncle Sam 
The words fair and equal are too often synonymous but as your father detailed with simple concise but also correct and complete words. Thank you for sharing this, these are words of wisdom I can share with my children who are much older but sometimes fail to see fair and equal are not the same.
LikeLike