I came across an article on the Spouse Buzz which made me think about a very dear friend, her husband, their family, and all they have gone through in past few years. The article “What Not to Say to a Wounded Warrior” has some comments I am sure most have heard other comments many would rather hear.
For example, “At least he/she got to come home early” can be shocking. Instead something like “I am glad you get to see him/her. I am sorry he/she was hurt.” Family members would rather have the soldier stay gone until the deployment was over instead of make sudden last minute plans to fly and see their loved one laying in a hospital bed. Soldiers never want to leave other soldiers behind even if they are the one being transported out. Instead, the unit would rather stand together at the homecoming ceremony.
”He/she looks okay now.” What one looks like on the outside may not reflect what is really going on. Instead, let the family members know “I hope he/she is doing better now.” Some may be “lucky” enough to have kept the limbs after trauma or major injury, yet they suffer from the lingering pain, effects of multiple surgeries, and other losses involved. Some may never run, while had they lost the limb and received an artificial limb, additional freedoms maybe felt.
Life for these families is full of ups and downs as they learn to adjust to a new way of life. However, in the process new friends are made, bonds between old friends are made tighter, and these families learn about hope, perseverance, and what love can do.
