FROM A SOLDIERS WIFE

By:Mrs Dolores Joven Benebile
Wife of SMS Billy C Benebile (Inf) PA
Bn Sergeant Major, CMOBn, CMOG, PA

 

 

 

         An employee either in the government or in a private company surely expects such things as salary increases, bonuses and promotions and even extra pay come December. The 13th month pay popularly known as the bonus comes every year-end in time for the Christmas season. In the same manner, promotion for soldiers comes in two forms. One is an increase in rank and obligation and the other is an increase of pay. When one is promoted to a higher rank, additional pay follows. That is why it’s been a tradition for a soldier to celebrate once he gets promoted. It could also mean another thing – recognition of his honest service.
       
         These things are not just enjoyed by the soldier alone but also by his family as well, especially his wife. Increase in pay could mean an additional budget at home. The responsibility of raising children means the fulfillment of their increasing needs. Such delicate task falls on the wife’s shoulders. Mind you, with the current crisis today, home budgeting is no easy task.
       
         Being a soldier’s wife for 23 years now, I’ve been through many ups and downs of family life, the most common of which is the fear of having a partner assigned in the combat zone. I can only pray for his safety. Sometimes, I can’t help but entertain worries and doubts that he might fling with other women. The most painful possibility is when your husband will go to the extent of having a “number two”.

 

         All these and more can be a load of burden and so becoming a typical soldier’s wife is no ordinary task. It requires sincere dedication and immeasurable service to husband, children and home. Lines from the book “Complete Marriage” advises that in order to preserve a healthy, harmonious family life, one must possess all the virtues of “Faith”, “Hope” and “Love” where the greatest of these is LOVE.
       
         Apparently, some soldiers tend to ignore all these basic virtues. What is even sad is that they’ve forgotten that there’s one person who for years has always been patiently, faithfully waiting home. An individual who’s been instrumental in her own little way of producing fine and responsible citizens of the society. They’ve ultimately forgotten that right in this part of the world, there is this one woman who deserves not just a wage increase, a bonus, and promotion. She needs neither any of them. But I tell you gentlemen, with all her countless efforts, “a hug or a kiss” is enough to tell her you still care.
       
Won’t you give her one when you come home?