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Take it From a Military Spouse: When All This is Over, You Will Be Changed

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By Ashlee Beasley

military family hugging — Image via Ashlee Beasley

Dear world,

When all of this is over, something strange is going to happen.

When the quarantine lifts and we can finally hug our friends. When schools are back in session and we no longer hear the words “social distancing,” there will be a huge burst of excitement and celebration.

Everyone will realize everything they took for granted, and we will all be so grateful to have those things back again.

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Right now, though—while we’re in the thick of it all—we are entering into survival mode. We’re finding ways to adapt to all of the change, and we’re implementing routines that help us feel normal and in control.

We’re also finding ways to enjoy this time. We’re adjusting to simplicity and new schedules and some of us will like that.

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Then there will be those who were in the eye of the storm—the doctors and nurses working overtime in a constant state of heightened adrenaline and feelings of helplessness. Those who lost loved ones and delivered babies on their own. They’ll need more time to adjust, and that’s OK, be gracious with them as they do.

When this all ends, the two worlds will collide, and we’ll be in this strange place of wanting to go back but needing to move forward.

It’s called reintegration, and it’s the ebb and flow of military families around the globe.

We just want to say the world probably won’t be the same right away.

And that’s OK, it’s normal.

We’re going to be in this tension for a little while—of hoping to keep the things we enjoyed and desperately trying to go back to the life we had.

When we finally realize that’s not possible right away, we will—in some ways—grieve the normal we once knew.

RELATED: Dear Family, This is Going to Make Us Stronger Than Ever Before

It will be discouraging at first and some days it might seem like nothing will ever be the same.

Don’t worry, though. This feeling will pass, too.

Be flexible through the process as we all get back to real life again and embrace what’s new.

Sometimes new is better than before, and sometimes it’s just different.

Different is OK.

We will all be OK again.

Hopefully a little kinder, a little more patient, and definitely with cleaner hands.

With love,
A military wife

Previously published on the author’s Facebook page

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Ashlee Beasley

Ashlee Beasley is wife to her favorite solider and momma to their three, beautiful girls. They currently reside in Texas where she continues to write words that encourage military wives to trust in the Lord as the co-founder of Homefront Heroes Ministries.

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Take it From a Military Spouse: When All This is Over, You Will Be Changed

Everyone will realize everything they took for granted, and we will all be so grateful to have those things back again.

RELATED: To the Mama Whose Husband is Deployed When the World Feels Scary

RELATED: Homeschool Might Be Just What We Need

It’s called reintegration, and it’s the ebb and flow of military families around the globe.

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Sometimes new is better than before, and sometimes it’s just different.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Ashlee Beasley

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So God Made a Mother

Take it From a Military Spouse: When All This is Over, You Will Be Changed

Everyone will realize everything they took for granted, and we will all be so grateful to have those things back again.

It’s called reintegration, and it’s the ebb and flow of military families around the globe.

Sometimes new is better than before, and sometimes it’s just different.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

5 Things I’m Learning about 50

I’m Constantly Waiting for the Metaphorical Axe To Fall

The Apology You Deserve May Never Come

To the Little Girl With Pink Flowers on Her Shoes and Courage in Her Heart

Keep Searching for the Perfect Pair of Jeans

Why I Had My Benign Breast Lumps Removed

Repotting Myself: What My One‑Armed Grandpa Taught Me About Growing Anyway

Farewell To the Bus Stop Moms

May is Maternal Mental Health Month, and So Many Moms Are Quietly Drowning

The Hard Truth about Friendship in Your 40s

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