Dc military 121214

2 DCMilitary Family Life - Advertising Supplement December 2014

1043327

December 2014 DCMilitary Family Life - Advertising Supplement 3

Circulation of 110,000 printedby offset as a civilian enter-prise quarterly magazinefor installations within the

National Capital Region by ComprintMilitary Publications, a division PostCommunity Media, LLC. ComprintMilitary Publications is located at 9030Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD20877. Telephone 301-921-2800.

Editorial content, including graphic artand photographs that support mes-sages, new stories, and feature arti-cles, are prepared in the MarketingOffices of the installations that con-tribute the information and blogs from

DCMilitaryFamLife.com. Letters and sug-gestions may be mailed to DCMilitaryFamily Life Publisher, Comprint MilitaryPublications, 9030 Comprint Court,Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

The printer is a private firm in no wayconnected with the Department ofDefense. Opinions expressed hereinare those of the contributors to thisMarketing publication, and they are notto be considered an official expression ofthe Department of Defense. The appear-ance of advertisements in this publica-tion does not constitute an endorsementby the Department of Defense of theproducts or services advertised.

Maxine Minar, President | John Rives, PublisherComprint Military Publications | 301-921-2800

ON THE COVER: iStock.com/DanielBendjy

1041579

When your loved one can’tbe home for the holidays

BY LORI TUPPER

Home for the holidays takes on a newmeaning when you’re a military spouse.The lucky ones are those who neverhave to explain to their children whymommy or daddy won’t be home, nomatter how many times they write toSanta. They never have to hope theInternet connection holds up longenough for opening gifts and exchang-ing I love yous during a shoddy Skypeor FaceTime session. I’ve been thereway more times than I’d like to admit.But with a little preparation we canavoid those holiday blues. When myhusband is not spending a holiday withus, these are four strategies I use to getthrough it.Allow yourself to feel. I give myself

24 to 48 hours to grieve, to be sad,depressed, upset, throw a 3-year-old-style tantrum. I allow myself thattime to get it out because, well, we’rehuman. We feel. We need to feel. Weneed to hurt and grieve and be sad

that our significant other isn’t there.The person we love, a crucial part ofour family unit, won’t be able to sharein a festive holiday season where manyfamily memories are made, and thatis just sad. It’s difficult to even writethat without getting emotional. It reallyfeels awful.

Laughter is the best medicine.After I go through that initial periodof sadness, I begin to get my grooveback like Stella. I laugh, I enjoy life,and I get happy. No, not as happy asI’d be with my spouse home, but I dobegin to enjoy the little things again.I bask in the love of my children, andthe thoughtful emails and letters oflove that I receive from my spouse. Hisstrength during our time apart car-ries me and helps me stay strong forour family. The strength of our chil-dren also moves me to be my best selfwhile my husband is away. I rememberwriting about that before and it’s true.Military children are the strongest chil-

See HOLIDAYS continued on page 10


Making the Holidays SpecialLast-minute ideas to brighten the season for military personnel

BY KAREN FINUCAN CLARKSON

With the holiday season upon us, opportunitiesto support service members and their families, bothlocally and abroad, remain. Many programs are nearcompletion, but there are some whose deadlines arepending. “There always are last-minute requests forassistance that we need help meeting,” said MichelleShortencarrier, communications manager for USO ofMetropolitan Washington-Baltimore. So, for those whowish to contribute their time, talent or treasure this hol-iday season, it’s not too late.

After nearly two decades, Debra Arnett still remem-bers the note and pin her daughter received from afemale officer, grateful for the letter of support sent bythe elementary school student.That’s, in part, why DelRay Variety, a store Arnett co-owns, serves as a drop-off location for holiday cards and letters of support fordeployed military personnel. Located in Alexandria,Va., Del Ray Variety is a member of the A MillionThanks network, which has distributed nearly 6.8 mil-lion cards, notes and letters to the troops over the pastdecade.

“It’s really special when people come by and dropoff cards. They’ll often share stories and show me thecards, many of which are truly touching,” said Arnett.“We’ve had a good amount of participation but we canhandle more.”

Because it can take several weeks for a message tofind its way into the hands of a soldier, sailor, airman ormarine, cards created now should take a broader viewof the holidays, perhaps focusing on the New Year. AMillion Thanks recommends that messages be positive,creative, kind and uplifting, and that they not be put inindividual envelopes, include edible items or containglitter or confetti.

Time is of the essence for those wishing to take partin the Holiday Mail for Heroes program, administeredby the American Red Cross of the National CapitalRegion. The program has been updated this year inresponse to service members who, during their stayat Walter Reed and Fort Belvoir, were unable to pur-chase holiday cards to send to their families across thecountry. The Red Cross asks that donors create indi-vidual packets—each containing three blank holidaycards, three blank envelopes with postage stamps anda personalized message to the service member—bun-dled with ribbon. Bundles, which can be created byindividuals, groups or businesses, must be droppedat the regional office in Fairfax no later than Dec. 14.For those who miss the deadline but would like to par-ticipate in the future, the American Red Cross of theNational Capital Region is running a similar programfor Mother’s Day, with a drop-off deadline of April 3,2015.

Sewn or knitted items are especially welcome now,

but they are accepted throughout the year, by Soldiers’Angels. “We’re in need of blankets for use at WalterReed, and the V.A. medical centers in D.C. andRichmond, as well as for distribution to those deployedin Africa,” said Jacqueline Stein, the organization’sD.C.-Metro service area manager. Soldiers’ Angelsprovides instructions for many handmade products,including the popular no-sew fleece blankets—an easyand fun individual or group project.

Those who haven’t completed their holiday shoppingand plan to order online should consider purchasingthrough Amazon.com (see sidebar for the full Weblink). A small amount, 0.5 percent, of the purchaseprice will be donated to the nonprofit group.

Soldiers’ Angels also has partnered with Harry &David retail locations, through Christmas Eve, to pro-vide Moose Munch Bars to troops. Each bar is pack-aged with a note—and a plastic spoon because thebars often travel through intense desert heat and arrivemelted, though still rich and delicious—and dispersedto bases in war zones, as well as to military families

locally. Harry & David holiday stores or kiosks can befound in Virginia at Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, TysonsCorner Center in McLean and Dulles Town Center inSterling, as well as Tanger Outlets at National Harborin Maryland.

The Maryland Food Bank is planning a holiday fooddonation Dec. 22 to support families at Naval SupportFacility Indian Head, according to Barbara Locke, theUSO center coordinator at the installation.Those wish-ing to contribute can purchase items online throughthe food bank’s website, mdfoodbank.org. The groupalso accepts financial contributions and donations ofcanned and dry foods.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OPERATION HOMEFRONT

Operation Homefront provides food assistance to families throughgift cards. Groups can request a Giving Quilt, like the one shownhere, to hang in a common area to collect gift cards.

How to Help Make the Holidays Bright

The following groups still have opportunities for those whowish to support military personnel and their families duringthe holiday season.

A Million ThanksHoliday cards can be dropped off at:Del Ray Variety (delrayvariety.com)203 E. Custis Ave., Alexandria 22301703-683-2418amillionthanks.org

American Red Cross in the National Capital RegionHoliday card bundles can be dropped off through Dec. 14 at:8550 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax 22031703-584-8400redcross.org/dc/washington

Maryland Food BankOnline food purchases can be made at the food bank’s web-site, fooddrive.mdfoodbank.org/drive/maryland-food-bank410-737-8282mdfoodbank.org

Operation Homefrontoperationhomefront.net703-421-9033

Soldiers’ AngelsNo-sew blankets—soldiersangels.org/sewing-and-crafting-team.htmlAmazon.com purchase program—smile.amazon.com/ch/20-0583415Moose Munch Bars through Harry & David retail stores—harryanddavid.com/h/view/moose-munch-for-troops210-629-0200soldiersangels.org

USO of Metropolitan Washington-BaltimoreGet Involved—us.uso.org/WashingtonBaltimore/Get-InvolvedTicketline—us.uso.org/WashingtonBaltimore/Ticketline-Military-Familiesus.uso.org/WashingtonBaltimore

See SPECIAL continued on page 7


10

42

03

31

04

20

33

10

42

03

3

ANY ONE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE OR ANY ONE REPAIROFFER VALID FOR 15% OFF ANY ONE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE OR ANY ONE REPAIRNOT TO EXCEED $150.00. COUPON APPLIES TO ALL ACURA OR HONDA VEHICLES.

Coupon must be presented to service consultant at time of write-up. Valid up-to a max of: $150 in value. Coupons may not be used in conjunction with otheradvertised specials. Taxes and shop supplies not included. Dealership is not responsible for any typographical errors. Coupon can not be utilized for repairspreviously performed. Cannot be applied towards tires or bodywork. Offer can only be applied once every 90 days. Valid thru 1/31/2015

1155%%15%OFFOFFOFF

SERSERVICEVICE SPECIALSSPECIALSSERVICE SPECIALS

4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCE SPECIALSET CASTER, CAMBER TO TOE TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS AND BALANCE 4 TIRES.

Coupon must be presented to service consultant at time of write-up. Coupons may not be used in conjunction with other advertised specials. Taxes and shopsupplies not included. Dealership is not responsible for any typographical errors. Coupon can not be utilized for repairs previously performed. Expires 1/31/15.

$$9999..oooo$99.oo

RADLEYRADLEYRADLEY5823 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041

703-824-5703-824-5780780703-824-5780

FFALLS CALLS CHUHURCHRCHFALLS CHURCH

FFALLS CALLS CHUHURCHRCHFALLS CHURCH

WWEE WORKWORKWE WORKONON ACUACURASRASON ACURAS

AANNDD HONHONDASDASAND HONDAS

MCCS QuanticoSaturday Child Care

Enjoy your holiday shopping with-out the children. Special holidaychild care will be available Saturday,Dec. 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at the CDCSouth. Child care is available hourlyfor infants through school-age chil-dren currently enrolled in a ChildYouth & Teen Program. Cost: $6 perhour. To enroll or make reservations,call 703-784-3652.

Christmas Tree Lighting FestivalSunday, Dec. 7, 4–6 p.m., Lejeune

Hall, Quantico. Join us for themuch-anticipated yearly lightingof the MCB Quantico Christmastree. Food, activities for children,Santa and the grand finale of light-ing the Christmas tree. Bring a newunwrapped gift for Toys for Tots.For more information, call 703-784-5803 or visit www.quantico.usmc-mccs.org.

Breakfastwith SantaSaturday, Dec. 20. Two seatings

to accommodate everyone, 8–9:30a.m. or 10–11:30 a.m. The Clubsat Quantico & Crossroads EventsCenter, 3017 Russell Road, Quantico.Enjoy visiting with Santa as you dineon a delicious hot breakfast. $10,ages 12 and older; $5, ages 2–11;free, children younger than 2. Ticketsavailable at MCX Rec/ITT 703-432-8850. Admission includes one photowith Santa per family. Space is lim-ited, no tickets will be sold at thedoor.

ChristmasDinner at SMPThursday, Dec. 25, 4–9 p.m., Single

Marine House (SMP), building 206,Quantico. Join SMP for a traditionalChristmas dinner. To-go plates areavailable for those on duty. For moreinformation, please contact 703-432-0363.

2015 Countdown for KidsWednesday, Dec. 31, 3-5 p.m.,

Quantico Bowling Center, LittleHall, 2034 Barnett Ave., lower level.Bring the kids out to celebrate thearrival of the NewYear. $40 per lane;price includes shoes, games, partyfavors, regular size soda per personbowling and one large pizza per lane.

Space is limited; prepay to reserveyour lane by calling 703-784-2210.

NewYear’s Eve CelebrationWednesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m.–1 a.m.

The Clubs at Quantico & CrossroadsEvents Center, 3017 Russell Road,Quantico. DJ, hors d’oeuvres, danc-ing, champagne toast and more.Dinner and party packages available.Tickets on sale at Rec/ITT in theMCX, 703-432-8850. For more infor-mation about the event, call 703-784-4264.

MCCSQuanticoStay in the Know

Want to know about all the eventsaboard MCB Quantico? Then sign upto receive the Quantico MCCS LifeMagazine by email monthly. Simplysend an email to [email protected], or call us at 703-784-5803.You can also like us on Facebook at

facebook.com/QuanticoMCCS, fol-low us on Twitter @MCCSQuanticoand Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/mccsquantico.

QuanticoMCCSPhoneNumbersl MCX: 703-432-8800l REC ITT: 703-432-8850l Marine Mart: 703-784-2712l Golf Course: 703-784-2424l Package Store: 703-432-8151l Bowling Center: 703-784-2210l The Clubs at Quantico:703-784-4264

l Catering: 703-432-0219l Auto Hobby: 703-784-2729l Marina: 703-784-2359l Barber Physical Activity Center: 703-432-0590

l Theater: 703-784-2279 (movie hot-line 703-784-2638)l Child Development Center: 703-784-2716/4470/3652

l Youth/Teen Center:703-784-2249

l Quantico Family Library:703-784-4348

l The Crossroads Inn: 703-630-4444l Human Resources: 703-784-3454


For many, the holiday season is not so holly, jolly…… But there is help if you are experiencing stress and sadness

BY ALICE SWAN

The carols and commercials ringingover the airwaves may be telling us it’sthe “hap-happiest season of all,” but formany people, the holidays bring feelingsof sadness and loneliness. Service mem-bers and their families are no strangersto these seasonal blues. They’ve oftenspent too many holidays feeling the stingof deployment separations while try-ing to keep smiling through Decemberand into the New Year. Distance, travelcosts or an empty leave balance havekept them from visiting extended fam-ily, increasing that sense of aloneness.While the season can bring up cherishedmemories of a lost loved one, it can alsocause fresh grief. For those dealing withpost-traumatic stress, the hustle andbustle of the holidays can often triggeranxiety.

All of these emotions are natural andare understandable, according to theexperts at Real Warriors Campaign,a Department of Defense initiativeencouraging help-seeking behaviors forservice members, veterans and theirloved ones struggling with the invisiblewounds of war. They suggest followingthese simple strategies to help you stayresilient through the emotional rollercoaster of the season.Make time to connect with family

and friends. Schedule time with thepeople close to you.Talking about what’son your mind could help ease some ofthe stress you’re experiencing. Be strate-gic about who you spend time with, anddon’t be afraid to decline invitations foractivities that might make you uncom-fortable. If you aren’t able to be withyour family during the holidays, set upregular online video chat sessions to helpshorten the distance between you.Mentally prepare for the season.

Retired Army Maj. Ed Pulido, a RealWarriors spokesman, has personal expe-rience dealing with the challenges ofthe holiday season while healing frompost-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

“For me, it’s helpful to keep a balancebetween socializing and down time withmy family,” he said. “By knowing mytriggers I’m able to avoid stressful sit-uations and better cope when they doarise. Mentally preparing for differenttypes of situations with my family isalso helpful. For example, we’ve talkedthrough different scenarios that could

trigger a stress reaction and thoughtabout how we’d cope with each so thatwe know what to do if any of us do feelstress.”Give yourself the gift of physi-

cal and mental health. Three simplewords can make all the difference whendealing with difficult situations: Eat,sleep, move. These are the key ingredi-

ents for personal well-being in the ArmyHealth Command’s Performance Triad.Focusing on a healthy diet, meaningfulrest and rejuvenating exercise helps youmaintain physical and mental resilienceto overcome any challenge or stressoryou might face. Here’s how to put thewords to work in your life for a healthierholiday season:

• Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals.Avoid snacks that only provide emptycalories, and choose foods with proteins,healthy fats and complex carbohydratesto increase your energy and concentra-tion. Eat breakfast, drink plenty of water,and try limiting yourself to just one hol-iday cookie a day to avoid those extrasugar calories.

• Sleep at least seven hours a night.A lack of sleep can cause memory andconcentration issues, medical profession-als warn, as well as physical side effects.Your body needs this time to help yourbrain function at its peak. Establish aregular time for hitting the sack, keepyour bedroom dark, and leave your elec-tronic devices in the living room.

• Move—every day. Exercising even30 minutes a few days a week can helpreduce the risk of chronic diseases andreduce feelings of stress. Bundle up andget the family involved by taking walkstogether or playing outdoor games.Taking a yoga class could be a good wayto develop breathing and relaxation skillsto carry you through the busy season.Overcome isolation. In a time of

constant parties, when shopping mallsare full of people and as you see ads forholiday events, how is it possible to feelalone and sad? It is easy to have thosefeelings if you’ve already been understress or are in a new location far fromfamiliar holiday experiences. Maybe youbelieve no one can understand what youare going through. Col. ChristopherRobinson, senior executive directorof psychological health at the DefenseCenters of Excellence for PsychologicalHealth and Traumatic Brain Injury, said

See HAPPY continued on page 7

ISTOCK.OM/BAKIBG


that this is the perfect time to reach outto others.

Don’t spend all of your free time inthe barracks, or at home playing videogames or watching movies. Talk to thepeople around you, and get to knowpeople in your unit or neighborhood.If you are deployed, keep in touch withfamily and friends back home. Beingconnected to others is important forwell-being, Robinson said. It may helpto make plans to socialize with friendsand family in comfortable places, andto stick with the plans, Robinson said.“The Internet is a valuable way for ser-vice members to stay connected to aprior unit, but don’t let online inter-actions replace socializing with newco-workers, friends and family,” saidRobinson.

Look for opportunities offered by yourlocal MWR, BOSS or Family Programsoffice to get out of your routine andtake part in holiday events aroundyour installation. Consider volunteer-ing with the USO, Salvation Army or ata Veterans Affairs hospital to give youa new perspective on the other mean-ing of the holiday season. Use holidaydowntime as a chance to try a new activ-ity, or re-connect with a hobby or sportyou used to enjoy as a way to relax ordecompress.

Following these tips may help youconquer those holiday blues. But ifthese suggestions aren’t relieving yourfeelings of depression or sadness,don’t delay seeking help, said Capt.Wanda Finch, division chief for thePsychological Health Advocacy Divisionat Deployment Health Clinical Center.

She urged individuals to seek help ifsymptoms persist through the holidayseason. “Real strength and resilience isseeking and getting the help one needsand deserves,” Finch said. A good firststep could be visiting the Real WarriorsCampaign site, www.realwarriors.net, or calling the Defense Centers ofExcellence Outreach Center at 866-966-1020 to confidentially speak with trainedhealth resource consultants 24/7. TheRealWarriors website features video pro-files of service members and military

families sharing their stories. The sitealso has informative links that may offerstrategies that fit your needs.

You can also download the RealWarriors Campaign’s new mobile appto engage with other service membersand military families, and connect withcampaign tools and resources. Availableon Apple devices, this photo-sharing ser-vice allows you to upload photos, saluteothers and find help whenever you needit. Learn more about the app at iTunes,

itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-warriors/id911378696.

And as always, for immediate, 24/7crisis help, you can reach out to any ofthese resources:

• Defense Centers of ExcellenceOutreach Center, 866-966-1020

• Military Crisis Line, 800-273-8255,press “1”

• afterdeployment.org• Vets4Warriors, 855-838-8255 and

online at vets4warriors.com

HAPPY continued from page 6

DIGITAL VISION/THINKSTOCK

Being connected to others is important forwell-being during the holiday season. It may help tomake plans to socializewith friendsand family in comfortable places, and to stickwith the plans.

Operation Homefront also providesfood assistance to families but uses giftcards, a “quick and easy” way to pro-vide assistance in an emergency, saidCyndi M. Lucas, the nonprofit group’smid-Atlantic community outreachleader. Companies, civic groups andreligious congregations can requesta Giving Quilt to hang in a commonarea to collect gift cards. The gift cardssupport families of wounded anddeployed military personnel below theE-6 level. Operation Homefront favorscards in any denomination from Visa,MasterCard, American Express, Giant

Food, Safeway, Shoppers Food andPharmacy,Wal-Mart andTarget.

While many of the programs spon-sored by the USO of MetropolitanWashington-Baltimore are wrapping up,there are several in need of financial sup-port, “especially as things wind downin Afghanistan,” said Shortencarrier.“Around the holidays, we like to remindpeople that we’ve been at war for thelast 13 years, the longest war in ourcountry’s history. During December,many service members will be returninghome and the largest number of themwill move through BWI Airport. Evena donation of $10 can help buy thema cup of coffee or something to eat on

their way home.”Donations also support the group’s

annual Cookie Run and Project USOElf. “Because many military memberscan’t leave post on Christmas Eve, wehave volunteers who bake cookies anddeliver them that night to those onduty,” said Shortencarrier. And familiesthat have children with special needsbenefit from Project USO Elf. “It’s notunusual to have families come in at thelast minute, so having gift cards on handis a great help.”

Tickets to theatrical and sportingevents make great holiday gifts andthe local USO’s Ticketline distributes

donated tickets to families through acomputer lottery system. The program,based at Fort Belvoir, accepts contribu-tions of tickets to activities and events ofall kinds, holiday-themed or not.

While supporting our troops shouldnot be restricted to the period betweenThanksgiving and NewYear’s, the desireto ensure a warm and happy holidayseason for service members and theirfamilies is a priority for many. And,while time is running out, opportunitiesaren’t. “There’s always a need to be metfor anyone who wants to make a differ-ence,” said Shortencarrier.

SPECIAL continued from page 4


Capital Caringproviding extra support for patients who’ve served

Nearly four decades ago, the founderof the hospice movement in America, aphysician named Josefina Magno alongwith a group of community leaders,clergy and volunteers in Arlington, Va.organized themselves to provide care fortheir neighbors, friends and loved onesliving with advanced illness. These earlyefforts of neighbor helping neighborwere the roots of Capital Caring, firstknown as Hospice of Northern Virginia.Today, with a caring staff of more than700, Capital Caring brings their com-passionate care to wherever a patientcalls home 24 hours a day, seven daysa week.

Today, Capital Caring is one of thelargest, most innovative, patient-cen-tered hospice and palliative care organi-zations in the United States. At CapitalCaring’s Adler Center for Caring on theVan Metre Campus in Loudon Countyyou’ll find one of the only interventionalpain clinics in the region—where ourteam of experts helps those with seriousillness reduce their pain to make of themost of each of life’s moments.

“Innovation and community engage-ment are key to our care approach,”said Malene S. Davis, RN, MSN,MBA, Capital Caring’s President andCEO. “We are supported by the com-munity, have deep roots in the GreaterWashington, D.C. community, and arehere to serve those living with advancedillness and their families in our commu-nity.”

For an organization born in the heartof Arlington—home of the sacredNational Cemetery—saluting and hon-oring the service of America’s veteranshas profound and genuine meaning.

As the Washington, D.C. metro area’slargest hospice and palliative care pro-vider, Capital Caring provides care tomore than 1,200 families every day—and nearly $2 million a year in care tothose with an inability to pay throughthe Patient Care Fund. Your gift willhelp simply improve care for someoneliving with serious advanced illness.

Additionally, veterans who arepatients receive commemorative recog-nition of their service and are matchedwith Capital Caring’s veteran volun-teers.

With their team of more than 20 phy-sicians, Capital Caring trains more than40 residents every year in hospice andpalliative medicine from Walter ReedNational Medical Center and FortBelvoir Community Hospital. Eachveteran coming into our care receivesspecial attention to help navigate veter-ans benefits, assistance in obtaining ser-vice related benefits and compensation,spouse benefits and more.

The community-based hospice alsoprovides special recognition for veter-ans in their care, even hosting events tohonor veterans at the patients’ or fami-lies’ request.

“We will arrange a pinning ceremonyat a patient’s home to celebrate andhonor to their service to America,” saidDavis. “It is a special feeling for ourteam to be in a family’s living room toshare our respects for their service andto share what an honor it is for us toprovide care. Capital Caring will alwayspay the highest honors to the veteransentrusted to our care.”

Because of donors like you, we’reable to help the men and women who

have worn the uniform of the armedforces living with advanced illness tohave access to the world-class palliativecare, counseling and hospice services weprovide.To find out more about Capital

Caring, or to make a referral, call usanytime at 855-571-500, visit us on theWeb at www.capitalcaring.org, like uson Facebook, or follow us on Twitter@capitalcaring.

CAPITAL CARING

Capital Caring’s CEOMaleneDavis shares amomentwith RobertMcAtee, a 100-year-old patient, at aMemorial Day event Capital Caring hosted in honor ofMcAtee’smilitaryservice.


1050086


1043164 1042928

STOCKBYTE/THINKSTOCK

If you’re spending the holiday season without your spouse or significant other, surround yourself with family and friends so you feel loved andcared for during this difficult, beautiful, frustrating, crazy, wonderful time in your life.

dren, simply phenomenal little people.

Take a social media hiatus. I tend to try toavoid social media when I’m doing the holidays onmy own because it helps me to stay focused on thepresent with my family. Without the distraction,you’re not comparing apples to apples or feelingthat old social media envy creep up because such-and-such’s husband is home and it’s not fair.

Surround yourself with family. Okay, so mylast tip is to wrap yourself up in the love of others:grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, sisters, brothers,cousins—family. This could be a blood-relative orthe neighbor who PCS’d at the same time as you.It could be your best friend from first grade or yourbest friend from three duty stations ago. It doesn’tmatter who it is, as long as you feel loved and caredfor during this difficult, beautiful, frustrating, crazy,wonderful time in your life.

I’m sure I missed a few things, but the takeawayfrom this article is that you’re not alone. There arehundreds who walk this road with you, despite howlonely you might feel. We are here with you andfor you, right there down in the trenches of thismilitary spouse life this holiday season. May youexperience light, love, warmth, laughter and all thejoy that this season brings.

HOLIDAYS continued from page 3


1042763

1043122

Documents

Dc military 121214