MOC Day 17-silent-ranks

Bitty Bow Bits by Kim Jensen Designs https://the-lilypad.com/store/Bitty-Bow-Bits.html Stripedy 2 by Kim Jensen Designs https://the-lilypad.com/store/Stripedy-2.html Stringbats 9 - Hexagons by Kim Jensen Designs https://the-lilypad.com/store/Stringbats-9-Hexagons.html Stitched Down Folded Paper Alphas by Kim Jensen Designs https://the-lilypad.com/store/Stitched-Down-Folded-Paper-Alphas.html Heroes by Dawn Inskip Designs
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When I left the military I thought I was ready for anything, like I had the world at my feet. Turns out that because I chose to be a military spouse and a stay at home Mum things were going to be very different to what I had in mind. I felt like I had no voice anymore. I had to abide by military rules and decisions but generally had no say in them. Military wives are often heard saying that they feel like they are in the military even though they never joined. It affects every decision you make in every aspect of your life. It's like we just sit quietly in the background as support troops. Hence, the 'silent ranks'.
I struggled to find my place for a long time. Turns out I was looking in the wrong direction. Instead of feeling left out of the military I should have realised that I was still very much a part of it. In fact, one of the most important parts. It is the silent ranks who hold everything together during deployment and affer discharge. It is the spouses and families who keep the wheels turning. I couldn't be more proud to say that I am a member of the silent ranks. That I have survived numerous deployments and now walk side by side with my wounded warrior.