This is Chapter 8 in the Wellness Memoir. Catch up with previous chapters here.
No challenge feels insurmountable after surviving a year-long deployment and a major health crisis. That year felt like walking through hell, yet I learned to care for my health like it was an investment strategy. I had to be proactive with my self-care because military life demands a lot. To thrive during that extended deployment, I had to tackle the challenges head-on.
Military spouse life has a way of teaching you how to swim by throwing you into the deep end. It forces you to grow up beyond your years. I’ve seen the depths of my own despair and had to lean on my faith in God to ensure I didn’t stay there.
From my lowest health point, walking through what felt like an endless stream of unforeseen challenges, to reaching the endpoint and starting a whole new chapter of life—it all happened in one year. I knew I wouldn’t stay in that dark tunnel forever. Eventually, I’d find my way back to the light.
Hope is the life raft of military life
Even now, I sometimes ask myself, “Did I really live through all of that? Did I manage to stay positive and even thrive through it all?” In spite of surgeries, recoveries, and countless sleepless nights, I clung to hope. I believed there were still good things ahead. That hope kept me moving forward, reminding me that whatever challenge came my way, I could figure out how to face it.
I marvel at what we, as military spouses, are capable of handling. Every military spouse I’ve had the privilege to know has a heroic story to tell. Some keep their stories tucked away; others pen memoirs. Regardless, staying committed to a service member—and thriving in that role—is no small feat.
Community is a lifeline: Whatever that looks like
This journey wasn’t one I walked alone. When friends were scarce, my family stepped in, showing up in ways I’ll never forget. When friends were present, a village formed around me, offering their shoulders to lean on.
Building and maintaining a strong support system was essential for staying positive during those difficult times. My faith, my family’s unwavering emotional support, and friends who understood the unique challenges of deployment all played a role in helping me survive. This community of support was my lifeline.
The lessons affect the outlook
One of the most profound lessons I learned was how much inner strength I had. The person I was on deployment day and the person I became by homecoming were starkly different. Innocence gave way to wisdom, and with that transformation came a depth of resilience I didn’t know I possessed.
Each new separation and deployment brings its own challenges. I’ve never approached a new duty station expecting only sunshine and roses. Instead, I’ve learned that while optimism may encounter stumbling blocks, it ultimately carries you to a good place. The journey isn’t easy, but it’s worth it—because every challenge you conquer makes you stronger.
My hope is that sharing my story will help other military spouses facing similar health challenges feel empowered to take charge of their well-being. You can balance the unknowns of military life. You can take care of yourself and your family. And most importantly, you are never truly alone in the journey.