A Poem Written to a Marine Wife

Marine Wife

© Danny Blackburn

When we married who would have thought of the changes in our lives
We were married one year, one month to the day when I made you a Marine Wife

Things were tough, we had only been married a year
I remember we talked of our future, our love and never fear

I remember leaving you on that hot summer day
I remember thinking this was what’s best as I went away

I was not fearful as I left your mom’s drive
I was not fearful on that my first plane ride

I was not fearful of the DI’s at all
They pushed and shoved us and made us stand tall

The DI’s told the married Marines of Jody at home with our wives
What they were teaching us was to control our tempers, one day it may save our lives

What they did to us, it surely did changed your life
13 weeks away from you my beautiful wife

I will tell the truth and will not cover with a lie
There was nights thinking of you where all I did was cry

Then that day came, we were given the title of a United States Marine
I was on the bus, on the plane home to you which seemed like a dream

I stepped off the plane looking for you I did not have to do
I seen a beautiful smile and glow, I seen nothing else but you

Into your arms I ran, we kissed like never before
I could not let you go again, I could not take any more

We had a saying in the Corps that is a fact of life
“The Toughest Job in the Corps, is that of a Marine wife”

Source: Marine Wife, Wife Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/marine-wife#ixzz1ubskPreB
**NOTE**

"Jody" is an old reference. It was a males name back in the day, so for it to make sense, replace JOdy with Johnny.

What I Have Learned in the Last Three Weeks

1.      I am not in control. No matter how much I want to be, or think I should be, The Marine Corp is now a part of my life and marriage. Anything having to do with my husband has to do with them, so I had better just get used to it. He is theirs just as much, if not more, than he is mine.

2.      The Marine Corp has a lot of terminology that is way above my head. They have a name for items that don’t really need a new name, and it is frustrating to hear some strange designation instead of a proper name. My husband called the bathroom “the head” which threw me for a loop. Why has the military decided to rename everything?

3.      I am stronger than I thought, but weaker at the same time. I now know I am capable of taking care of myself if my husband is ever gone for good. But I have also realized that while I may be strong enough to physically care for myself, I am not very emotionally independent. I depend on my husband to listen to me, to comfort me, even to remind me when I am over reacting. My emotions have been all over the place for the last three weeks, and it isn’t getting any better.

4.      Nothing anyone says is very comforting. No matter how many times my mother or father reassure me, I still feel alone, scared, and worried. It’s nice to have family around, and their presence is at least distracting, but the hugs don’t even take the edge off the loneliness. They don’t need to know that though.

5.      Anything to distract myself is worth it. Moping all day isn’t good for me and it definitely isn’t helping my recruit. I know he can feel my sadness in my letters. He is my husband! He knows me better than I know myself so I am pretty sure he can pick up little hints of sadness, regardless of how hard I try to hide it. So for his sake, I have to stay upbeat. This means making sure I am not dwelling on the separation in order to make boot camp easier on him.

6.       I am so lucky to be my recruit’s wife. He is going through exhaustion and pain right now to provide a future for his family. He loves me and our anxiously awaited son so much that he is doing something that most people can’t even fathom. I certainly can’t!