If you’ve been a military spouse for at least a few days, you probably know that this life is a little unpredictable. Somedays, it makes us happier than a 5-year-old at Christmas, then a few moments later, we crumble into big, smoldering pile of ugly-crying heartbreak. It can be exhausting, I tell you. In my personal journey as the spouse of my beloved infantryman, my emotions have stretched from enthusiastic optimistic to Debbie-Downer pessimistic of epic proportions.

Now, nearly half a decade into this military marriage party, I’m starting to find my middle ground. Kind of. Ish. Somedays.

I want to be realistic with my expectations, still experiencing the great moments when I can, with full joy but not being crushed to bits when things fall apart last minute.

There are a lot of ways to accomplish this challenging feat, but one technique that has helped me find my balance is celebrating everyday military miracle moments.

Did you catch that? Every day. 

Disclaimer: Finding this every day miracle balance doesn’t mean we plaster on a fake smile and bottle up our emotions. We should lovingly and gracefully share our struggles with our beloved service member, but also find ways to see the good in less-than-optimal circumstances.

So back to this idea of celebrating every day military miracle moments. Seem impossible? It isn’t. It just takes practice. Sometimes it requires deep digging and a large perspective shift.

Here is a list that might help pull you back up from your smoldering pile of pessimistic heartbreak. If you can say yes to five or more of the following, you have a reason to celebrate.

Ready? Let’s add ’em up:

We have a reason to celebrate everyday if we…

• Have enough food in our bellies.
• Have a roof over our head.
• Own at least one vehicle (Side note: If this applies, you are richer than 98% of the rest of the world. No joke)
• Are not currently naked due to lack of clothes.
• Even if our service member is going to be home late, they will still be home.
• Even if our service member is deployed/gone away training, they will be home—eventually.
• Even if our service member has made the ultimate sacrifice and we now hold the title of Gold Star spouse, their service is valuable, honored, and our country stands strong because of it.
• Consider that our beloved service members have chosen to serve this great country, a privilege that many don’t get the chance to do.
• Possess the technological means to read this blog.
• At least one person on the planet loves us.
• Are blessed with the opportunity to love at least one other person on the planet.
• Have the freedom to worship as we please.
• Were privileged to learn to read.
• Possess the ability to dream and imagine.
• Woke up with out the fear of persecution.
• Can smile… on occasion.
• Are still breathing.

Quite a list, huh? So, dear milspouses, how do you celebrate every day military miracle moments?

What would you add to the list? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.