HOLIDAY GIFT - FREE

[Anonymous]

My husband just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. As I watch all the Moms and Dads sending greetings to their families back home from overseas, I am reminded of how many kids and parents, entire families, are approaching this holiday season with a heavy heart because their loved one is in harms way. I hope we can all recognize these folks when we meet them with something as simple as a smile. A way to send a happy thought their way means so much.

[M2FH]

Also on that note...if you do choose to say something (that you might think is helpful) to someone with a loved one overseas, please don't go overboard. My DH is overseas and will be throughout the holidays and well into next year. This is my first time facing the holidays alone, well with our two kids. I've been a bit depressed but am trying my best to hold it together, especially for the sake of my girls. I've had a number of people actually make me feel so much worse, though I know they were trying to help. They just went on and on about how hard it must be, how lonely I must be, how they don't think they could ever do this, yada yada yada...The first few words of encouragement ("I'm thinking about you" "Let me know if you need anything" (and really meaning it) or as the OP mentioned, a genuine smile) were great, but the ongoing, long depressing conversation that tends to follow isn't so helpful. Be encouraging, uplifting. I know (and so does anyone else going through this) how hard it is...don't need to be reminded of that.