It’s almost here -after months of work, “Be Safe Love Mom..” will be out on store shelves on Tuesday, March 31. It’s been a lot of dreaming, rewriting, effort, and tears to put this military mom journey down on paper. Maybe that just describes our lives as moms too-except maybe the rewriting part.
When that first baby of mine was placed in my arms it was overwhelming. I had had several miscarriages and was almost frantic with the thought that I might never be a mom. He was late-quite late and was in fetal distress when I finally delivered him. Watching the team resuscitate that blue baby I felt like I was having an out of body experience. Time stood still. Then I heard it -a wail and he turned pink. He was here! My son was finally here in my arms.
I was determined to be the best mom I could be. I had big dreams for my babies. As more children filled the nest the definition of being a good mom changed a bit. Clothes folded in drawers became clothes sorted into laundry baskets. Matching socks were optional.That stuff was minor. I wanted to focus on a higher calling. I poured my heart into raising humans with integrity and a sense of purpose.
Along the way they began to dream their own dreams. I relished my new role as “Dreamkeeper.” You want to be Top Gun? Of course that is possible. You want to climb to Everest Base Camp? Why not? (all true and described in the book:) Work hard, do your best and keep trying. Reach for excellence.
The rest of the story if you have read “THE BOOK”…all four chose military service as a way to fulfill their dreams. Just like I marveled with that first baby in my arms, I am in awe of all they have accomplished. It is such a privilege to watch dreams come true.
This week my dream is also coming true. I wanted to write a book to reach out to my fellow moms, to encourage and inspire them through the tough times. I wanted the extended community to understand and appreciate the sacrifices of those who love someone in service. I wanted people to come together to find resources to make sure our children’s needs are met now and in the future. After a long season of work and waiting it is finally here.
Eight virtual deployments-I call them virtual because my children never deploy without me. Time stands still until they are home again. Now the waiting is almost over and I will soon have my son in my arms again. And then the next one will leave and the cycle repeats. But in this moment of time, there is a lot to celebrate. It is wonderful to do that with other military moms who understand.
So if you are in a bookstore, or a Costco, or a Target somewhere and you see a woman clutching “Be Safe Love Mom: A Military Mom’s Stories of Courage, Comfort, and Surviving Life on the Homefront” with tears streaming down her face-yes that’s probably me. Tears of joy folks-tears of pure joy…..
I received my pre-ordered copy of Be Safe, Love Mom a few days ago and frankly I couldn’t wait for it to arrive. I had even set aside time to read it for the very day it was scheduled to be delivered. Little did I know that the moment I held my copy in my long awaited hands my anxious heart skipped a beat than began racing. All my emotions surfaced and I cried uncontrollably knowing full well the words I was about to read would bring to the surface all the feelings I’ve had since ironically enough the day my son walked the yellow footprints at MCRD San Diego exactly a year ago to the date of Be Safe, Love Mom was held tightly to my chest, to my heart. My, emotions were just too raw at that moment to begin reading at the time I had set aside so, I unclenched those precious printed words and layed It down till I now, three days later. Because, every time I walked by where the book was resting my heart felt heavy and I had to fight back the tears. Then this morning with my coffee in my Marine mom coffee mug which my son my Marine gave to me, I began scrollling through the Facebook posts and the very first one was this, the post I am commenting to now, and you know what I glanced over at my book that a very courageous fb friend and member of my military family had poured out her blood, sweat, love and tears had written and I knew it was time. So, I’m going to refill my Marine mom mug grab a box of Kleenex and head off to the most secluded place in my home to begin the journey already begun by a friend whom I’ve never met, the Author of Be Safe, Love Mom~Elaine Lowry Brye ❤️
Thank you. Your message let me know that the time writing it was worth it. I am with you Jean:)
Can’t wait to read your book! I’ve been following you on some Facebook pages and am so happy for you. Congratulations!
Thank you so very much!
Elaine is the BEST . . . she knows from experience what she’s talking about, and she tells it from her heart.
Thank you 🙂