By Pfc. Christopher M. Gaylord
13th Public Affairs Detachment
To many people, family is more important than anything. For most deployed Soldiers, family is pretty much everything. It hurts to be away from loved ones. However, families do exist outside the one you leave at home.
You don't have just one family, you have many. Sgt. 1st Class Natriena L. Lopez, supply non-commissioned officer in charge, 18th Military Police Brigade, knows this better than anyone.
Originally from Los Angeles, Calif., Lopez is a perfect example that you don't have to put your life on hold for the military. A family and an Army career is possible.
Lopez has spent 19 years in the military and has by no means done it alone. She's had her five children, husband and an immense support group. To Lopez, the Army's really just another family.
"You have a whole other extended family in the Army," Lopez said. "It's a real close community."
It is, of course, not easy to be the mom you want to when you're thousands of miles away, but Lopez does just that, while doing her job here exceptionally.
"She's doing a great job of dealing with her kids while being deployed," said Master Sgt. Olivette L. Stepney, property book officer, 18th MP Bde.
"She stays very positive, very focused, comes in early and gets right to work," said Master Sgt. Thomas L. Francis, maintenance supervisor, 18th MP Bde. "She talks to her kids, and they keep her motivated. She really stays in good contact with them."
Everyone knows it's hard being so separated from the ones you love, but Lopez looks at the situation a bit differently.
"You can focus on your next move in the military when you don't have to worry about doing the laundry and making dinner. You can put a few more hours in at the office and focus more on the mission," Lopez said. "The kids know the Army is taking good care of us, so they're not worried."
Though she knows her family misses her, the right support can make things a lot easier on the heart. Knowing your family is taken care of can take most of the burden away.
"It really helps when you have a good support system," Lopez said. "Wherever we go, we have a big family with us."
The neighbors help out a lot, she said. They take the kids to school and send photos of them once in a while.
"My daughter's teacher sends me pictures of her at school and lets me know how she's doing in class," she said.
"The Family Readiness Group is wonderful," Lopez said. "Our first sergeant's wife calls the families back home, gives them updates and sends pictures we've been collecting."
Perhaps the most important thing is that Lopez understands the sacrifice family members must sometimes make for one another, and that each one is out of love.
"Coming over here was more of a sacrifice for the kids," Lopez said. "I'm not leaving them behind. I'm doing this for them and that's what they understand. Kids are resilient, and they'll love you no matter what."
Lopez is confident that everything will be okay even though she's far away.
"Instead of worrying about home, worry about yourself and make some plans for the future," Lopez said. "Home will take care of itself."
When all is said and done, family is a real force multiplier.
| Date Taken: | 03.27.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2008 14:48 |
| Story ID: | 17824 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 373 |
| Downloads: | 294 |
This work, Military Mother Understands Importance of Family, by SGT Christopher Gaylord, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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