Disappointments – The Military Family

Disappointment… we all face them. A promised PCS to a base close to ‘home’ changed at the last minute to clear across the country. R&R or Homecoming pushed back days or even weeks. A savings account depleted to pay for unexpected household expenses. The question is how do you handle them?

Yesterday, my 8 year old, *E*, was asked to go to a semi-professional baseball game with a mutual friend of my 6 year old, *C*. Talk about disappointment for *C*. There was much heartache. A few tears. A longing to be with his brother and friend and her family. How did we handle the disappointment? First we talked about the fact that it is ok to be disappointed and yet happy for our brother at the same time. We talked about how throwing a temper tantrum isn’t the best way to handle our emotions. (Although sometimes a good temper tantrum cry sure does a good job of letting all the emotion out! But I digress…)

When we were all done “talking” we found something we could do together. I admit after a very busy week I was looking forward to putting my feet up and enjoying a good book on our deck, but sometimes the role of ____________ (fill in the blank; ie mom, friend, spouse) superseded self. sometimes. I knew a local church was throwing a small festival to raise money for their school this weekend; so that became our evening plans! What a great way to spend some one on one time with my *C*. We bought funnel cake, cotton candy and rode some carnival rides. We laughed together, smiled together, screamed like crazy together (on a small carnival-ride of course). Disappointment was out the window and a little time with our mind on the time in front of us made for a perfect Friday evening!

Mother and son getting ready to enjoy the carnival’s “spin ride”.
How do you handle disappointment? It is a great feeling to help someone through it and take the time to enjoy a bit of ‘silver lining’.