Growing up, I always rooted for what seemed like my local teams. I didn’t particularly care much for the NFL, but I liked Peyton Manning. I enjoy college sports, mainly basketball and football, and I also really enjoy Cardinals baseball.
When I met Sam, I met a true Cardinal fan. A genuine guy who sticks with the team despite their wins and losses, trades, managers, through it all, he really likes Cardinal baseball. We event went to a NCLS game, where I really saw him get excited about baseball (and, for the record, he got the nachos in a helmet. He was a ball park food guy).
I never saw myself rooting or liking another team–that is, until today.
I think I can genuinely say that I am a fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Now, before you go an unfriend me or tell me why the Red Sox are so terrible, let me tell you what I’ve discovered.
There’s an organization called Home Base and this is a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital program, dedicated to healing the invisible wounds for Post-9/11 Veterans, Service Members, and their Families through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research.
Additionally, what seems to be impressive to me is that Home Base operates the first and largest private-sector clinic in the nation devoted to healing invisible wounds such as post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, military sexual trauma, and family relationship challenges.
Knowing that, I am okay that the Boston Red Sox Foundation has a hand in this.
You see, Veterans, their family members, and loved ones struggle. Not all Veterans face invisible wounds, but for some, the struggle is most real, and it can be really hard at the holidays.
I know this first hand.
The weeks leading up to Christmas are difficult at our house. A lot of intrusive thoughts creep in, nightmares, and the build up to the actual holiday (December 25) can cause anxiety, stress, and hyper vigilance.
We’ve had a few bumps, anger, stress, nightmares, conversations that might seem unpleasant, but we are managing. I’ve tried to think of numerous solutions, not to “fix” the problem, or make the situation disappear, but I also want to make the environment comfortable for Sam. I want him to enjoy the holiday, but I think at times, those memories have to pop in from time to time. We let them happen, and then realize that we are in the moment, not in a wartime situation, not in a gunfight, but we are grounded, feet on the floor, present where we are.
I’ve tried to change the environment, I’ve started carrying a challenge coin (an old school fidget spinner if you will), a fidget spinner, and am considering essential oils. We were in a busy environment over the weekend and the boys (Sam and Memphis) did great. I also realize that I can’t make every single moment easy and better, and even with therapy, there are moments where we are home, Dr. Thompson is not with us, but we try (so hard) to practice the mindfulness and techniques he recommends.
And then I stumbled upon Home Base.
The value of this program is so significant. Serving Veterans and families, these folks understand that when one family member serves, the entire family serves. These conflicts have affected us (our family) despite us not being with Sam during his deployments and reintegration home each time. No Veteran is turned away, the outreach is geared toward Veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, but Home Base serves all Veterans regardless of their time of service or discharge status, or branch.
Why am I so curious, invested, and interested in this organization?
There’s hope and help within this organization. Information on talking with children help for families, and there’s an adventure series for veterans and families.
Bingo.
Our family could use some adventure, and some time to strengthen our relationships, despite the PTSD and TBI, and learn more about the programs and services offered through Home Base.
So, as we approach the most wonderful (and difficult) time of the year, please keep those who are serving or those who have served (and their families) in your good thoughts, prayers, well-wishes. Send them your positive thoughts and love because you never know what type of battle they may be facing. And, maybe, after reading about Home Base, you too can now be a fan of the Red Sox.
I love when others help out Veterans and their families.
