We've had issues like this pop up several times, when Guardsmen came back from The Sandbox after a year.
The Family Readiness Groups have been rocks of support for the folks back here, but things usually fall into one of two categories:
- The spouses/families find hidden confidence and strength while the soldier's been gone, and that creates tension; or
- The families collapse in the absence of the troop, and picking up the pieces makes more damage.
I'd add this tidbit, too: not only watch the returning soldier, but the families as well. They're trying to bring a loved one back into the fold, and it'll either be better or worse - but it'll never be the same.
Thank you for sharing your awesome poem, and for your continued service on the homefront in the Guard ~ training our troops up right. Y