The Green Dream
I think most of us have a certain “color” we look good wearing. My color is green. This revelation was rather odd to me, because green really isn’t my favorite color (Infantry blue, baby! #America). But, for some odd reason, green just works on me, and right now, we are in a season of spring. Things are fresh. New. Blossoming. Green. Unfortunately, my favorite shirt, husbands ACUs, and grass in the backyard aren’t the only things that are green in my life. Sometimes, my attitude is a bit green, leading to my green dream.
Yes, for all of our mothers out there, the green-eyed monster still lives. Especially in the harder seasons of military spouse life.
Only now, that green-eyed monster of envy and jealously from childhood has morphed into our green dream, and it always rears its ugly, olive-drab head at the most inopportune time.
When I was newly married, the green dream of jealousy had a lot of power in my heart when I looked at my “normal” (ha) civilian friends. I wanted what they had.
The opportunity to pick a house/location/neighborhood and stay there for more than 15 minutes.
A husband who was always around for the big events like birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.
Family within an easy driving distance so I could have some freedom from my sweet but remarkably-needy tiny human. (What is with this regular needing-to-eat routine?!? Sheesh.)
I quickly learned that green only looks good when I wear it on my body in the form of clothing, not when I wear it on my heart.
Fortunately, the years of rocking this military life have taught me how to tame this sneaky, dreamy, powerful beast.
Now, my perspective has changed.
I revel in the opportunity to travel and see new places/things (mostly) on Uncle Sam’s dime.
I treasure the time I do get with my husband and make a constant effort to not take him for granted.
I relish the challenge of constant flexibility. A birthday party three weeks early? Sure, why not? (See also: Double-cake opportunity.)
I celebrate our family’s independence as we rely on a higher power to give us strength when there isn’t a pinch-hitting grandma in sight.
Yes, milspouses, the green dream of jealousy can be tamed, and now my military spouse role is a dream redeemed. An experience for which I am grateful, that I strive to love deeper and rejoice greater, all because of a refreshed perspective of what really matters in life.
I challenge us to do some “spring cleaning” of our own this year. Don’t worry (too much) about that cluttered closet. Instead, let’s take a close look at our heart. Our attitude. Our dreams.
As things “green” up this spring, what changes do you feel called to make to tame that green dream of envy? How can you continually see the good in your calling in military life? Chime in and leave a comment.
