Jumat, 12 November 2010

A story of cozy strength

Dinner Smileys Military Lessons Lifetime

Dinner Smileys Military Lessons Lifetime

I thought that this was a great story and an even greater concept. I had read previous books by the author and previous reviews and felt that the author was unfairly "dissed" by other military wives. I think that even among the community of military spouses and families, there is a dividing line between those who spend a career deployed and those who are only deployed in times of war and conflict. My grandmother was the spouse of a Submariner who spent six months of nearly every year of their marriage deployed. That is what Gram signed up for...and 5 of the six months that he was not at sea, he was preparing to be so. There were also the late night calls..."be at lower base at 0:300 and be prepared to be gone for a while". Gramp was very literally a guest in his own home when he was stateside, Gram ruled the roost and made all household purchases and decisions. She was in many ways, a single mother and she did it well; but she was very aware of the role that she had signed up for. My heart goes out to all of those who did not expect 10 years of near steady deployments and for those who chose to go IA. I do not know what Justin's deal was, but here in my community, one year IA in a war zone equates to three years in service. For those nearing retirement 3 for 1 is a deal that many cannot and will not pass up. Sarah made the best of the year and her boys learned lessons that will last them a lifetime. When they leave the comfort of home and go out into the "real world" those lessons learned will serve them well. A wonderful story and a wonderful learning experience for all who participated, Fair winds and following seas, Smiley family and Sarah...Bravo Zulu from New London!!!

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10 komentar:

  1. You do not have to be a military spouse to enjoy this wonderful book. Many face empty seats at the table real or figurative. It is when we look outside of ourselves that we face our loneliness. Sarah's honest writing made this a very engaging read. I enjoyed it!

    BalasHapus
  2. This book about a military family trying to make the most of the service member's year-long deployment will have you laughing and crying! Whether you have any connection to the military or not, you will relate as a mom or dad, grandmother or grandfather, neighbor, teacher, or any other position in the community. Dinner with the Smileys reintroduces the idea of reaching out beyond our own families, especially when you are many states away from extended family members. It should make us all want to extend an invitation if not weekly, at least every month or so. This book helps us all to realize, whether we are young children, young adults or old seniors, that we have a lot to learn from each other. Don't forget to read the epilogue by Ford, Sarah's oldest son!

    BalasHapus
  3. Sarah Smiley has a way of writing about the reality of life in the military and the daily regiment of the family on the other end of a deployed military member. In her latest addition, Dustin is gone again in the service of his country, but she takes the lemons of absence and makes lemonade by filling the seat at the head of the table with local leaders, teachers, and athletes. The experiment brings awareness to the realities of life in the service, but more simply it showcases a strong family who presses forward in the face of missing dad. It is another great book by Sarah Smiley and a testament to the strength of the modern military family.

    BalasHapus
  4. I am ordering this book today and reviewing it based on the excerpt from Parade magazine. My husband is in the Army and just got back from a six month deployment. I agree with the author, dinnertime without dad is the worst. It was hard on me and our 2, 4 and 6 year old. What a wonderful idea to invite a different guest from the community each week! I will do the same next deployment and until then I will read the book! Thank you Smiley family for your service!

    BalasHapus
  5. I read most of the night! I could blame the author for being so short on sleep today, but in truth, I enjoyed the book too much to do so!

    I am not part of a military family, so in the beginning I worried that I wouldn't be able to relate to the author's tale. Instead I found the author's story to be one of the most relatable books I've read all year. It's not about the dinners, although they are the basis for the structure of the book, rather it's about the relationship between a mom and her sons, a wife and her husband, and a family and their community. Those connections are what makes this book so very special.

    When you read as much as I do, it's always a pleasure to find a book this easy-to-read, thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny. I would encourage anyone looking for a good read to take Sarah's story to heart. And then, if you are like me, invite someone new to dinner.

    BalasHapus
  6. Dinner with the Smiley's, when once begun, is a hard book to put down. So transparent is author, Sarah Smiley, about the difficulties and triumphs of her life during her husband's 13-month deployment, that I felt my own heart breaking and being encouraged. The boys! They are rascals and delightful, strong and mischievous, smart and loyal. Vivid storytelling, strength through faith, and a beautiful community of love are all included in the pages of this wonderful book. And it has a happy ending! Perfect summer reading for you and your family. Highly recommended.

    BalasHapus
  7. A touching book about how the Smiley's coped with the empty seat of their table for the year during the 1 year deployment of Sarah's husband. The book was touching and entertaining. A must read!

    BalasHapus
  8. This is such an incredible and touching story. It speaks to the relationship between a mom and her sons. It's beyond filling a seat at dinner, it's about relationships and lessons for a lifetime. You will laugh, shed a tear and feel like you're part of this very special family and the adventures that surely changed their lives forever.

    BalasHapus
  9. I thought that this was a great story and an even greater concept. I had read previous books by the author and previous reviews and felt that the author was unfairly "dissed" by other military wives. I think that even among the community of military spouses and families, there is a dividing line between those who spend a career deployed and those who are only deployed in times of war and conflict. My grandmother was the spouse of a Submariner who spent six months of nearly every year of their marriage deployed. That is what Gram signed up for...and 5 of the six months that he was not at sea, he was preparing to be so. There were also the late night calls..."be at lower base at 0:300 and be prepared to be gone for a while". Gramp was very literally a guest in his own home when he was stateside, Gram ruled the roost and made all household purchases and decisions. She was in many ways, a single mother and she did it well; but she was very aware of the role that she had signed up for. My heart goes out to all of those who did not expect 10 years of near steady deployments and for those who chose to go IA. I do not know what Justin's deal was, but here in my community, one year IA in a war zone equates to three years in service. For those nearing retirement 3 for 1 is a deal that many cannot and will not pass up. Sarah made the best of the year and her boys learned lessons that will last them a lifetime. When they leave the comfort of home and go out into the "real world" those lessons learned will serve them well. A wonderful story and a wonderful learning experience for all who participated, Fair winds and following seas, Smiley family and Sarah...Bravo Zulu from New London!!!

    BalasHapus