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Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a military's wife? We fret about our husbands coming in late from their overtime while they worry if their husband is even coming back alive and well. Through my blogging I met Glaiza, the blogger behind Moomy Musings, a mother and a military wife.
Over blog events, we have come to get to know each other. She's funny, real and dedicated to rearing her only child in what she terms as a "geographically single mom" status.
This is her story.
The Romance
Glaiza met her husband through a friend. They became text mates since he was based in PMA (Philippine Military Academy) Baguio and she was based here in Manila. Their relationship was sealed when she visited him in Baguio, and from then on he has invited her to their "mess hall" parties. The rest is history so they say and they got married September 2010. 2 weeks after the wedding, he was deployed on his first battle mission to Mindanao. (Ang sakit sa puso!)
The Pregnancy
On November 2010, Glaiza found out she was pregnant and she went on her pregnancy journey quite lonesome. Her husband would come home every 3 months and would stay for 2 weeks. She said seeing a couple walk in the OB makes her very emotional.
Thankfully, her husband was granted a 3 week leave nearing her due date. He was there to witness the birth of their baby and spent a good 2 weeks with them.
The Agony of Waiting and Worrying
Her first and second year, newly married-pregnant- then alone with new baby, was the worst year of her married life. She was highly emotional, worrying to death over the safety of her husband. Phone calls made her jittery. Always praying it is her husband's voice she would hear on the line and not someone else's with some bad news. One of her friends and a fellow military's wife lost her husband last April 2013 while on a mission in Mindanao. He left her with a one year old child:(
She also felt the pangs of loneliness of raising her daughter alone. She feels sad that her husband is missing on the wonder years of their child, "he is missing out on all the milestones. I don't have him here with me to share the joy of my daughter taking her first step, her first word."
She eagerly waits for 3 months for her husband to come, only to say goodbye to him in 2 weeks. The saying "the problem with hello is goodbye" is so swak to her. She said she never fails to shed a tear when he leaves. The only good thing with this set-up is they always have a good, solid 2 weeks. No time for fights because goodbye is just a day away.
While away, they communicate everyday through Skype. But when there is no signal in his field of assignment, she wouldn't hear from him for 2-3 weeks. OMG! To lessen her anxiety, she relies on prayers and acceptance on the nature of his work.
The Father-Daughter Relationship
Their daughter is now 3 years old and has come to adjust to her daddy. First day would always be awkward between father-daughter, it's like both of them are always on the "getting to know you" stage. In fact, when it is already night time, her daughter would push her dad away, "Daddy, good night. Go home, na."
Glaiza has since then explained to their daughter the nature of the job of her dad. Of course leaving out the details of how dangerous the mission is. She exposes her to photos of her husband and asks her to join in the "skype" conversations with him.
The Philandering Military Typecast
I had to ask Glaiza, "Hindi ba parang pilot ang military husband?" (pilots are typecast as being smooth with girls) She laughs and gives me a high-five. She said she heard of it but she never doubted her husband. She felt secure that he loves her and would not father a child in every station:-)
Her Advocacy
Apart from her blog, Moomy Musings, that gives practical information to moms, she also is an active member of Hero Foundation. Hero Foundation gives scholarship to the children of military soldiers who were killed or incapacitated in battles.
Glaiza, a blogger, a mother and a military's wife. Our worries seem miniscule compared to her. A salute to your courage and strength.
*Just so we know...
PMAers take up high school in their respective private or public schools. They take the entrance test to PMA and if they pass, they study a 4 year course in Military Science in PMA, Baguio. Upon graduation, the lowest rank conferred to them is Lieutenant.