“Gettin’ on the plane, going to war” was the last text message I received from my sister on Saturday as she left for her first deployment to Afganistan. As I type those words they still make my heart sink and give me a lump in my throat. My sister and I are ten years apart, and while we’ve had our ups and downs over the years we are at a great place in our relationship and I miss her, now even more. And I feel for my mom, now as a mom myself I cannot imagine the worry she feels; it must be a thousand times worse than mine – if possible.  Today as I picked up my son up from daycare and again felt a little defeated by the not-so-favorable report of him being ornery and pushing the limits, I can’t help but think of my mom and just feel proud because he’s MY son. Yes, that’s right my ornery son who at three is smart, knows how to push those buttons and turns right around gives you a kiss and a hug and you forget it all. I am doing the best I can and I know my sister is just as proud of me as I am of her. While I think we all feel like we are going to war day in and day out between tantrums (toddlers and co-workers) and a to-do list a mile long, I am thankful for my life and the soldiers I have by my side.