"Not all combat is fought on the battlfield of war with weapons and tanks,

[vetwife]

My husband who is one of the bravest, most passive people I know is a patriot beyond belief. He said the words of this thread title. Some of you, like me, have felt betrayed, beaten down and just outright whipped.

It is hard living in a rural area of Ga. facing the Zell's everyday and trying to maintain sanity. I had an outburst and went off on three wantabe christian folks in one day. I took my house back under control from all of the confusion and sickness, and behavior from the kids which I deemed unacceptable (talking back, etc) and said NO MORE !
I lost my Mother and have not even had proper time to grieve and it was on the 3 month Anniversary of her death Saturday that I had this fit of rage. It was not screaming. It was not loud talking. It was very controlled and very definate. I laid down the law on people who were not welcome in my home. I laid down the law on what was tolerated from the true believers of the Bushies who wanted to call me up and spread their hatred. I told the kids I didn't like the company they were keeping so thats over and done with. I quit crying and whining like a republican over my back being hurt and I just told everyone to shove it ! I had little control over the ails of this world but I surely have contributed to change and I did have control over this house and people who want to disrupt my peace and endeavours. My husband, my rock, smiled as I had this meeting of the minds with people that I am tired of accomadating and said, You know, Not all combat is fought on the battfield of war with weapons and tanks, some wars are of the heart and mind. That meant a lot coming from a 101st Airborne combat vietnam vet. That is why I refuse to let the whiners hold me back from being all I can be. Disability has claimed 5 of the 7 members in this household, with no benefits except for my disabled Veteran husband, I refused to allow this WAR of R wingers or us take me into the trenches of disability too.

Whenever you think you have had all you can take. Think this is war and remember the heart and the mind needs a little R & R too.

http://cafeshops.com/focusgroupnow.9200633

[vetwife]

1. Kick

[Jo March]

2. Good for you!

Sometimes you have to tell the world to go screw itself.

Now, as far as you are concerned - you need to take a bit of time to yourself, it seems. Listen to CDs or tapes - turn off the radio news. Don't watch the television news either. Surround yourself with some quiet or fill the quiet with comforting sounds.

DON'T ASSOCIATE WITH CONSERVATIVES! ;)

Take a bath. Take a nap. Take a walk. Do something where you can have a few minutes to think about your mother and grieve.

I am not saying that napping or walking will cure all that ails you. I'm just concerned because I've been where you are and you need to take some time to yourself.

I am thinking about you. I've been where you are (wife of a vet) and I was in the military myself so I know that it's stressful having to listen to the gung ho brigade all of the time.

I'll be praying for you to find a bit of peace and space to yourself.

[vetwife]

4. Thanks so much for the encouragement

I take care of my blind Father. I have been taking care of my hubby who just recently had to have 15 stitches in his thumb.Bad considering he plays Chet Atkins style guitar. Since the Iraq war he has been almost bedridden with flashbacks. One of the kids is diabetic and the other has a cleft pallet and hearing loss (hearing aids) and of course my oldest son of 35 suffers from extreme depression. I try and maintain and help veterans and I just need to close my eyes and relax, even if I have to take the phone off the hook from all those conservatives who are part of my extended family. They have done nothing for us emotionally, financially or mentally but wear us down. That is why I Took it back. I can't be everything to everybody and I realize that now. Thanks for the prayers. I trust those prayers of yours a whole lot more than those of my church that I just dropped out of !

[Jo March]

6. You so speak the truth

My dad's family are all Repubs from way back. When we were growing up and had problems, they didn't help us for squat! Well, we were told to pray more.

Yes, churches can be very unhelpful. I so know what you are going through there!!!

I don't drink but I'll raise a glass to people like you who are in the trenches every single day and not just giving lip service.

Be good to yourself, though. You have to take care of yourself! That's an order!!

[Kanary]

3. you speak the truth, vetwife

I've done that same setting boundaries, and finally blowing up. I'm glad it worked for you, but I'm afriad this society has gone so far off the rude cliff that for most it just doesn't matter anymore. To make change in a relationship of any kind, there has to be a willingness on BOTH sides.

And that goes for politics, also. Many of us aren't heard by our own DEM representatives, and it just ain't gonna happen, because they don't WANT to hear.

There is little interest in a meeting of minds anywhere anymore -- it's all about shouting down and WINNING.

No, I'm not looking for a pep talk..... I've done my best, and urging me to do more will only wear me out. I'm finally recognizing just how sick this whole damn society is.

Your husband spoke some wise words there....... tell him I understand exactly what he's saying.

Kanary, a corpse on the battlefield of life

[Kanary]

5. kick for a great woman!

:kick:

[vetwife]

7. You folks are too kind !