Saving, Serving, and Savoring: Guard Mom Gratitude

This Thanksgiving feels a little different for me. I just got back from BLC, and there is nothing quite like going from ruck marches to recipe planning overnight. I have less than a week to pull together Thanksgiving dinner, celebrate my son’s third birthday, unpack my duffel, and somehow make my house look halfway ready for guests.

But honestly, I would not have it any other way.

Serving in the Guard has taught me a lot about balance. How to shift from soldier mode to mom mode, from field gear to casserole dishes. I’m even thinking about trying those yummy looking Roasted Rainbow Carrots this year. This season, I’m extra grateful for the chaos, because it means I’m home. It means I get to be “Mom” again, not just “Sergeant.” It means I get to savor the things I missed while I was away, like bedtime giggles, coffee that isn’t instant, and the smell of something baking instead of that good old barracks scent.

And let me tell you, nothing warms my heart quite like my Guard family. The constant “hey, I miss you boo,” the “how are you holding up,” and the “take care of yourself” messages mean everything. It’s those little check-ins that remind me we are never really doing this alone. The Guard community shows up for each other, no matter how far apart we are or how busy life gets.

I have also learned that gratitude doesn’t need perfection. The turkey might be slightly overdone, the mashed potatoes might come from a box, and I might still be living out of my duffel bag. But it is ours. It is real, and it is messy, and it is full of love.

And yes, this Guard mom is still on her saving grind. Stretching that grocery budget, catching Commissary sales, and finding creative ways to make the holiday special without spending too much. Every little bit saved means more room for joy and maybe a second slice of pie.

So this year, I’m giving thanks for it all. For the service, the savings, and the savoring. For my military family who always checks in, for my kids who remind me why I serve, and for this incredible community that keeps me grounded through every season.

Here is to full hearts, full plates, and finding gratitude in the beautiful in-between moments, even if your uniform is still in the laundry and the cranberry sauce is straight from the can.

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