A year’s worth of holidays, birthdays, and other significant days were celebrated in a military home in the Douglassville area on Sept. 17.
Amanda, a military spouse without an affiliation, said her husband learned recently of his fourth deployment that will occur within the next 30 days.
Within about one month, she had planned and invited all their family and friends to the holidays that he could miss over the next year.
Unable to provide his name, branch of service, rank, or deployment location, Amanda’s husband, said he will also be missing the holidays that his five-month old son, Lucas, will experience for the first time.
His older son, Caleb, age 5, was about 3-years-old the last time that his father was deployed for an entire year.
“I cannot say how long I will be away,” said her husband, who has served 12 years.
He has supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Upon entering the home to interview the family, the smells of Thanksgiving Lunch on a hot and sunny day in September, were indication of an unusual happening.
Above the dining room table, which was laid out with Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings, were decorations for St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and a “Happy Birthday” banner hung in front of the china cabinet.
Amanda planned for Christmas to occur at 10 a.m., with Santa Clause riding by on an Amity Fire Company truck, a countdown to New Year’s Eve occurred at noon, followed by Thanksgiving Lunch, her husband’s birthday celebration, and then an Easter egg hunt.
The holidays day was to be concluded with Trick-or-Treating at night with about 10 neighbors.
“I was very surprised, because I am not one to seek the spotlight this much.”
“It is very heartwarming to all our friends and family here to support me before I leave.”
Amanda said their two boys were also surprised by the day full of holidays.
“Technically, these are all the first holidays Lucas will have with his dad,” said Amanda.
She said Caleb was really “psyched” about Santa, particularly upon knowing that “Santa came just for him.”
“Caleb is still amazed by the magic of Santa, and it brought the whimsy of Christmas early.”
Amanda said Caleb knows his dad has a job to do and that he loves his job.
“Caleb has been resilient dealing with the separation – he has been a champ,” said her husband, adding, “He is in his glory today – his friends and his cousins are here.”
Amanda thanked her parents, Elissa and Steven Pinkerton, also of Douglassville, and all of her family, friends, and neighbors for helping to plan and also participate in her family’s day of holidays.
