One more time it sucks being military

Don't get me wrong, I do find adventure in moving and exploring new areas the military wants me to see-or at least where they need my husband to be to accomplish a job. But some parts of living the military lifestyle really suck. Sorry if you are offended by my word choice, but really I know we all hear SO much worse coming from the flight-line etc. that you can probably think of a few more interesting words to substitute if you really feel the need. Anyhow, this weekend my father had a stroke. It was a very minor one, thank god, but being in small town New England the local hospital couldn't handle it so he was airlifted to a larger regional hospital several hours away. This was a good thing in many ways; the hospital is superior, the doctors and nurses are wonderful, the facility has all the latest equipment and he received excellent care. The downside? That left my mom to drive back and forth several hours everyday through the mountains while she is exhausted from lack of sleep, stressed from worry, and frustrated because, as much as I love him, my father is a bear to deal with when he is sick (again, feel free to substitute a more interesting flight-line type word for bear). So, why does it suck to be military? Well let's see; my father had a stroke and, since I live almost 2,000 miles away, I wasn't there. It would be nice to see him and judge the effects for myself, to show my support and bring him flowers to help cheer him up, but no... I live almost 2,000 miles away. Gee Dad hope you are feeling better, I'll call you! Mom is exhausted and could use someone to help her drive the hours there and back, but nope, I am almost 2,000 miles away. Gee Mom need someone to sit with Dad while you talk with doctors, or call work to handle what you are required to do? Call someone else Mom, 'cause I live almost 2,000 miles away. Oh Yay! Dad is coming home, but I can't go in and straighten up so they have a nice homecoming because I live almost 2,000 miles away. Over the next few days or weeks Mom will have to do all the housework, cooking, shopping etc while Dad recuperates. Can I help with any of this? Nope because, that's right, you guessed it! I live almost 2,000 miles away. Sometimes it really sucks to be living the military lifestyle.