"...That moment may feel like it lasts forever, but you'll get through it..."

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ramon A. Adelan
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

"During my wife's first year-long tour to Korea, it was hard for me. She was gone through the holidays, and it was just the kids and I. We were able to visit family so that helped with her being gone. I was out there on my own doing the best I can. I would go to work, come home, cook, clean dishes, make sure the kids had a bath and the next thing you know it's bedtime. There was one Saturday we went out early in the morning to run some errands after that we came back and I'm feeling sick. I told the kids to go relax and watch a movie, but they're kids and started arguing with each other. Then the doorbell rang and it's my neighbor asking  to borrow something. She then looked at me and asked if I was okay. I told her I'm a little sick and tired. She offered to watch the kids for a while so I can rest. Me being me, I told her it was okay and that I was fine. She insisted though, so the kids went over her house to play with her kids. It surprised me how much I really needed that rest. During that whole time when it was just the kids and I. I've learned a lot. I learned that it's temporary and that it's for a moment of time. That moment may feel like it lasts forever, but you'll get through it and you'll get the support you need when you need it. I learned to keep moving forward, to take care of the kids and do what's best for them and for us."

 

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Mendez, 9th Reconnaissance Wing  Equal Opportunity Director

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York