Another Birthday

Some number of years ago, a little girl was born. She would eventually have a younger brother and a younger sister. She had already decided to marry her future-husband by the time she was a kindergartner, giving new meaning to the word "precocious".

Time passed as it does, and she finished school. Marquette University then University of Illiois. Then the predicted wedding and decades of farm life. It wasn't enough to rear five children of her own. Some more school at Illinois State. And then working at State Farm long enough to retire with benefits. (Obviously, I'm glossing over plenty of milestones).

On numerous instances, she has been summoned, dispatched, or sometimes even "vacationed" in San Diego...most recently, for a marathon sentence in the Castle. July to October, December through June (with a few weeks off for "good behavior" -- or more aptly phrased, much-needed "R & R").

While the touching TV coverage (or adverts) show the service members, their parents and spouses and children, the commercials rarely pan back enough to capture the service members' in-laws. They are behind the front row at Change-of-Commands. They are behind the scenes. And, for some, the sacrifices near those of the shiny faces waving flags awaiting an embrace on the TV screen.

But GMK (and Grandpa Mike) really stuck the landing on this IA. How does one say "Thank you" for suspending their life together for a year? How does one indemnify (just using that word 'cause we like to) for all the scenarios/travel arrangements/decisions/who's-paying-this bills that had to be discussed via phone? How does one repay the dozens of doctor's visits? the hundreds (really!) of trips to the grocery store? the nights of interrupted sleep? the peace of mind that accompanies having a back-up to She Who Must Be All Things To All People??

I didn't often blog the nitty-gritty details (even though it may have felt like I left no minutaie unexplored). Know that in excess of 50% (by instance, not volume) of excessive bodily juices that landed in places not formally approved for their placement were cleaned up by GMK. (And a couple of red wine stains, too!) Know that more than 90% of the meals that crablets rejected, protested, or (shock) inhaled were prepared by GMK. Know that at least 75% of gas pumping was accomplished at her hand. I don't want to guess at the number of loads of laundry or beds made or dishes washed. Cindercrabma would have been an appropos pseudonym for GMK.

And that doesn't even include the Crablet Extracurricular/Extramedical Benefits. Boy scouts and cub scouts. Little League. Vision therapy. French horn lessons. Honor band/orchestra rehearsals. And concerts. CCC Kids emergency fetchings. OT/PT/Speech for C-boy. Charlie the-bus-didn't-show transport. Birthday party attendance. And, for the CQ, continued participation on CAC and Area Board 13 as well as IEP meetings and Troop parent meetings.

If ever a woman would be worthy of being the guest at a State of the Union address, it is GMK. An example of putting one's shell where it's needed most -- not just in service of one's family but in the greater service of one's country. The fact remains: GMK deployed in support of the Combat Crab's deployment. Without pay, without benefits (except those that LLGA and Pierre the Expensive Stylist provided), and largely (gulp) without much day-to-day appreciation.

So, here's a blog award presented to GMK for valor in the combat zone that is the Castle o' Autism.

(This is a WWII-era sweetheart ribbon in reality).

(I understand she already enjoyed a Birthday Vigil helping of Jim's Steakhouse Brittany dressing). Today, please join me in raising a glass to, offering a prayer for, and/or glancing with cake-eyes at a bakery window in celebrating GMK's latest "still legal" birthday!

And, thanks, Mom. ::hug::