HOOAH!

Recently, my brother and sister were both in town and we decided it would be a good opportunity to do family photos. We all could feel a bit of hurt as we took the photos knowing that we were missing someone. I can't speak for them, but there were definitely a few moments where I was holding back tears thinking of Megan. In one of the photos my mom wore a shirt that said "Some people never meet their heroes, I raised mine." She stood their wearing it with pride as both my brother and sister stood beside her. You see, they are both currently serving in the United States Army.  My brother is a Combat Medic in the 82nd Airborne and my sister is a Patriot Missile Operator in the 69th ADA. I am so incredibly proud of them. Every time I talk to them they have graduated from another school, or collected rank or received an award or become a Team Leader etc, etc. To sum it up, they are pretty much badass!

My mom & dad may have gotten to raise them, but I got to grow up with them. I got to share secrets with them and get in trouble with them and fight with them and grow with them. Like all siblings, there was a time I am sure, that we could not stand to be around each other but we have now out grown that. Losing one of your own makes you forget all the stupid stuff you don't like about your siblings and just appreciate the fact that they ARE your sibling. That they are somebody you have known for your entire life and whether you like it or not, they are part of you. (I just happen to really like mine!)

My brother doesn't like the icky emotional stuff so I always have to fight back my tears when I hug him good bye. When my sister left, I couldn't help but cry. Not only because I was going to miss her, but because she will be deploying over seas for a year tour in Kuwait. Now, I know Kuwait is better than her being sent into Iraq or Afghanistan but she will be only 20 miles from the Iraq border and with those guys, you never really know what they'll do. I wont get to text her funny pictures or call her whenever I want to, but will take what I can get in an email and an occasional Skype session. I know she will most likely return home safe next summer but I can't help but worry a little bit. I have already lost one sister and have no room in my heart to lose another - or my brother for that matter!!

I am writing this just to say how proud I am of both of them. To let them know that I support them and to tell them that I miss them every day.

My beautiful Momma and her Soldiers.

Side by side or miles apart, siblings will always be connected by the heart. 

As always, it's still a Runderful Life!