The Christmas season is synonymous with family, which is a great blessing for most – but for others it’s a stark reminder of what they’re missing. Military families, for example, often face the holidays with a loved one overseas, sometimes in dangerous combat zones.
Ashley Sistrunk is used to her husband, Brandon, missing out on major family milestones. They have four children, Brandon was deployed for three of those births. Ashley wanted to create a Christmas card this year, but once again her husband was unable to partake, because he’s currently stationed in Iraq.
After a bit of googling, Ashley came up with a brilliant idea. Do a little staging, add in some photoshop magic and voila! Instant family Christmas card.
Ashley says it was tough to convince her young children to go along with the plan, and her husband was getting a little irritated at all the requests for adjustments, but they pulled it off beautifully.
Here’s Brandon being a better husband than most of us guys would be and making sure he gets the shot right.
He likely took some good natured ribbing for this, but that’s how you know he’s a good man.
Not only is this photo a beautiful snapshot of a family displaying togetherness even though they are thousands of miles apart, it also underscores the sacrifice so many families make each for our safety and comfort. In the midst of the craziness of the holiday season it’s easy to stop and realize that just being home for the holidays is an incredible blessing.
In an earlier post, Ashley shared her heart on Facebook.
“I hate wanting to wish away a holiday. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, but with Brandon gone and the kids begging to have him home on Christmas, it just won’t be the same. I know we are supposed to “live for today!”, but I wish I could wake up tomorrow and have it be late January! It makes me sad for couples who aren’t truly the best of friends. Brandon is my best friend in the whole world and my heart needs him home! Can someone call Ellen and tell her to bring him home for me?! K thanks?”
Although this was a planned deployment, Ashley says her children are “praying their dad will come home earlier than expected” and in time for Christmas.
There’s one Christmas miracle we could all get behind happening.
(h/t NBC)