A year ago April 13, I got one of those phone calls we all dread during deployments. You know the one — it starts out with, “Mrs. Hughes, when was the last time you talked with your husband?” It ends with “tourniquets have been applied.”
The kids handled the news better than anyone else. “Daddy was fighting the bad guys and his legs got hurt. Mommy has to go take care of him.”
To them, it made perfect sense. Several days later, I was on a plane to a hospital, and my children were at home with my aunt, whom they had met exactly once.
I left in the middle of the night, not knowing when I would return. Over the course of the next two months, they had 5 different caregivers in 4 different homes, over 3 different states. When they finally returned to me, we hotel hopped for several weeks before moving into a temporary apartment, and eventually moved into a new house. It would be several more months before we received our household goods.
During this time my oldest daughter started sixth grade, a daunting year for any young lady. She is thriving, though, with an active social life and excellent grades. My youngest daughter started pre-kindergarten, her first experience in a school setting. She, like her older sister, is a socialite with excellent grades. My youngest son adjusted quickly to daycare, even though he had always been home with me. They accepted our new path with graceful enthusiasm.
My husband’s recovery has been arduous, made more difficult by his right leg, which was crushed but not removed. I believe that our children have been bolstered by his courage — by his refusal to quit and his insistence that we all laugh through the pain. We, in turn, are bolstered by their unbridled joy in his recovery. The picture below is of the first time my kids saw Daddy walking unassisted after his injury.
Today we celebrate his Alive Day with tremendous gratitude. Our entire family was given a second chance a year ago — we were given more birthdays, Christmas and family dinners. We were given a chance to grow through our losses — to discover strength and courage individually and together. We were given another day to say “I love you,” to revel in each others’ accomplishments. Not everyone receives this precious gift and we will not take it for granted.
Our children absorbed the catastrophic changes this year as though they were small bumps in the road. In them, you can see the strength of military children everywhere. They are the epitome of resilience. Not only do they “Adjust, Adapt, and Overcome,” they giggle (the infectious kind that you want to scoop up in a bottle and save for later) every step of the way.
Megan Hughes is an Army wife who is currently holding down the homefront in San Antonio, Texas.
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WOW!!! I'm amazed by your positive post and a bit misty eyed. We just finished a very tough deployment luckily without any major injuries, but 4 close calls. Praying for many happy, thankful years for your family.
Megan, what a heartwarming story! My heart ached for you, but I quickly found solace in yours and your family's thankful and positive approach towards it all… and to that I say happy alive day to your husband and family.
I’d like for us to talk Im walking in your shoes & would like to vent with more military wives who have & are enduring the same situation.
I love the bounce that little redhead has in her step–she loves her daddy! Best wishes to you and your family Megan
Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your strong, inspiring family!
My dearest friend always speaks so eloquently. Being a part of this story and reading about it seems like 2 different situations. But still inspired by the Hughes family each and every day.
Yes, Megan, my friend, thank you for sharing. You have helped & inspired so many. You have a wonderful way with words. I personally can't express how grateful I am that your husband survived & your family is together again.
Love it, Sissy. You done good.
Wonderful post. Thank you for letting us into your family's life.
Thank you all for your kind comments and support. After experiencing the worst humanity has to offer, we have been overwhelmed with support from the best of it. Our journey has been easy compared with others and we are grateful for each breath, each step, each day.
We will keep your family in our prayers! Your sacrifices as an "Army Family" are beyond expectations, your kids are an inspiration, thanks for sharing your journey through this experience. Kathleen Denny, Mike's Mom
Thank you, Megan, for an uplifting post. Best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you for posting your very personal journey through bringing a wounded warrior home. God speed, God bless and kiss those sweet little military children for me. They are amazing, they are resilient, and there will be conversations in your future with them of things they haven't begun to sort out – but as they mature – they will and they will need you as a sounding board. I pray for your husbands recovery.
My three children all grew up as Army brats and are the better for it. Two are now grown and married, and they are all, including their spouses, either serving their country in uniform or in service oriented careers. My son who just turned 13 was our late surprise:) He has a very different life since his dad retired after 26 years in the army and is a disabled vet. At this point in time we are praying that back surgery will give him some quality of life back. But like your husband, he is forever trying to lighten the mood despite the constant pain. There are days when I feel thankful and days I feel cheated. I did without him so much of the time and while I never looked forward to being out of the army, I did look forward to having him to take trips with and just do things. However, that is not our reality and so we take it one day at a time – we love each other – we take care of each other and we are a family – just as we always have been. Our dynamic has changed but every day I get to see his face and have a conversation over a cup of coffee is a blessing, and Michael has his dad.