Stampers are some of the most amazing people I know!

Ok, I know this is another non card post, but I promise I will post some really soon. I just have to tell you about some of the most wonderful people I have ever encountered. This may be a long story, so please bear with me.

This weekend my husband deployed. We tried to explain to my youngest, Jay (age 6) why daddy had to go. After a fruitless battle, very little sleep, and tons of conversation, we couldn't break through his stubborn streak. In a last ditch effort, I emailed some of my stamping friends and asked for their help. The email read something like this

Those of you who have been following the blog finds of the day or the weekend stamper know that there was a change in my life recently. My husband deployed to Afghanistan this past weekend. I've been a military wife for a long time, so this isn't anything new to me. Luckily we did have a wonderful reprieve as my husband has not been downrange for close to five years now. We knew we were due. The unfortunate part of that wonderful span of time, is that for all intents and purposes this is the first deployment my now six year old has ever known. Matt (my darling husband) was trying to explain to Jay why Daddy had to go. He told him about the "bad guys" and how there were so many people in Afghanistan who needed his help to protect them. Jay, being a bright six year old, wanted to know why "those people" couldn't protect themselves. Matt then tried to explain to him that the bad people weren't just trying to hurt people in Afghanistan but also in the US. My daughter (who is 11 and knows everything) told Jay about the bomb in Times Square. Matt said that he had to go get the "bad guys" in Afghanistan so they couldn't hurt anyone in the US either. At this point, Jay pointed out that we didn't live in the US (we are currently stationed in Germany and have been for 3 years). Daddy told him that many of our friends did live there though, and they were very happy that Daddy was going to help keep them safe. Jay said that none of those people in the states even knew Matt was deploying so how could they be happy about it. (told you he was smart!). Anyway, to make a long story longer, the conversation ended there and shortly therafter Matt got on a plane. Here is where I am asking for your help. I want to prove to Jay that people all over the United States do know what his Daddy is doing for them, and that while it is hard to not have Daddy around for a while, what his dad is doing makes him a hero, not just to us, but to many others. If you would be willing to send a note or a card to Jay (and Katie) I would greatly appreciate it. All it takes is a regular stamp, and it can hopefully show my son that there is a reason for his sacrifice.

Within minutes I had responses, and they still haven't stopped coming. I was amazed by the generous nature of these "friends" I only knew through our love for paper and ink. I wanted to show you how wonderful and generous and kind these women are. Below are a few of the responses I have gotten.

Oh my, your husband is on his way to Afghanistan.

The Dutch are there too and I can imagine that your son does not understand.

I sometimes don't understand why there can be people out there who want to hurt someone.

But a we are all in the NATO-pact we have to sent our troops there.

I would love to cheer your son and daughter up and you of course.

I would be honored to send things to your little ones. I too am an Army Spouse and know how hard it is for the little ones, you too, but it so difficult for them to understand. Heck, my oldest was hit the hardest after her Dad had to deploy again after only being home for 7 months. We, however, are very blessed that after 3 deployments in 4 years he is retiring this year.

I will make sure that we add your husbands name to our prayers, to protect him and your family.



Oh Kelly - this is precious!!!! Although often unspoken....myself, along with millions of Americans truly appreciate what your husband does and YES he is a hero! I have tears as I type this - for my overwhelming appreciation for him and all servicemen and women! And for the sadness of your little boy...missing his daddy!



Absolutely - the boys and I will send cards, and my daycare kids will make a special one too! With Memorial over the weekend - and every day of the year - I thank Matt for his service, and I thank you for sharing him with us. I've been on these stamping lists with military wives long enough to know, it's not just the men & woman enlisted that serve us. The entire family is in it too!



FOR SURE KELLY! We're the LAND OF THE FREE because of THE BRAVE; you're husband being one!

You bet Kelly. I'll get stamping and mailing immediately! I'm holding you all in prayer though I know that doesn't necessarily fix things for a kid or even you in the short term. This is a terrific idea you had. The real problem in some ways as my Army niece pointed out awhile back...kids are smart enough to know that War and fighting is stupid, dumb and doesn't fix anything. After all we start telling them so practically as soon as they are born. So how to explain to a smart kid that some grown ups are dumb.....sadly they'll figure it out in time. And in an unsafe world every kid wants their Dad's arms to protect them! Like I said smart....

In the meantime please know that lots of people are loving you all from afar. The sacrifices of military families alone should be enough to make the angels weep and Politicians of every stripe live in fear of eternal heat related injuries!

Hugs and blessings and profound thanks for keeping America a safer place to live.

OMG Kelly I'm sitting here bawling like a baby over your email. I will get a card out this afternoon! God bless all of you! And THANK YOU, not just to your husband, but to your entire family!


These were just a few of the responses I have gotten, there are so many more. I am absolutely floored and amazed and feel so privileged to have these wonderful people in my life. What started as tool to teach my children has taught me so much more instead. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.