Warrior's Wife Adventure

Ten years ago I got a call while at work from Red Cross that changed the life of my family forever.

Todd was deployed to Afghanistan as a Calvary Scout with the US Army in Ghazni. Several times the mission got called off, because air support was being tied up looking for one of the biggest d-bags in history.  I am not even saying the selfish bastard’s name, as he doesn’t deserve the font.

Despite that, the mission went on, my husband was so badly injured they didn’t think he would make it and he lost two friends in that blast. Todd almost died on me two weeks later after he was back to San Antonio.

Ten years ago was the last time I got a good night sleep. Ten years ago was the last time our son had a father that could run and play with him.  Todd never ever got sick, never had to go to doctors.

Ten years later even that has changed. Doctors and therapists continue to make up a big part of his life today. Kind of ironic there we were today, at the doctor’s office both wearing masks to avoid him catching anything worse from the great unwashed around us. We looked like a set of masked Bonnie and Clyde together.

Ten years later and I still watch him suffer in excruciating pain. Ten years later the war is continuing in Afghanistan. Men and women who weren’t old enough to be born when the Berlin Wall crumbled are going to be facing catastrophic injuries like Todd.

Those that know Todd, never hear him whine or complain about his pain or his vast health issues. He stands to greet anyone that walks up to him at a restaurant. He is a gentleman. No brain injury can take that away.

Ten years later, thanks to Equine Therapy, Todd shows smiles that reach his eyes. He finds acceptance in the big gentle presence of the horses. He thankfully has received help through the Wounded Warrior Project’s Independence Program, which helps moderate to severe Traumatic Brain Injured Veterans. It provides recreational therapy and helps veterans learn a new art or skill.

He has been able to participate in photography classes and learn to develop film in a dark room. He will be having a show of his work December 2^nd. 

Ten years later and I am still so very thankful to God that he is here.