Don't Stop Believing

12/25/2016

Don't Stop Believing

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“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t
see.” ~The Polar Express
I don’t have too many memories of Christmas Past, as in my life before marriage. I remember
that we had a little three foot tree and colored lights but nobody seemed happy. The year before
my parents divorced, my Mom won a box of beautiful ornaments. These were handmade
stained glass, woven wheat, beaded baubles, etc. That was the first time that I can remember
seeing Christmas spirit in her.
I married a man that came from a family that went all out with Christmas. Christmas lights,
decorations, gifts, and so much more. He shared that with me and I was hooked. But it is not
about the gifts, to me it is about the gift of believing and sharing, and the gift of Light. And the
traditions.
Every year, I pull out the many strands of white lights and decorate the trees. I love the sights,
the sounds, the smells, everything about this glorious time of year. I love the lights and I will sit
for hours in just the glow of the lights.

I created new traditions with my family. We watch all the fun Christmas movies together, even
with one kid is currently stationed in Korea. We can still watch together as we Skype. We watch
Christmas Vacation and Elf, Prep and Landing, and no holiday is complete without The Santa
Clause. Over the years, we have added new favorites like The Grinch. However, there is one
movie that I watch every year with my Christmas baby and that is White Christmas. That is her
personal favorite and mine too. I watched that with my Mom. My daughter turns 23 this
Christmas morning and we will watch that movie and eat the cookies that we baked.
I am a traditional person and I treasure those traditions. Every year, I get a new Snowman and I
add one ornament that symbolizes my year. This year, I got a Crab. He represents the EOD
Warrior Foundation Warriors and their families that I am blessed to work with.
Every year, I get a new Nutcracker.

There might be a Nutcracker in every room in my house….maybe.
There might be nine Christmas trees in my house….maybe. Each one has a theme.

This year I bought two of my four children their first Christmas tree and Nutcracker.
It is tradition.
Each year, we open one Family gift and a new set of pajamas on Christmas Eve. The gift is
usually a game or a movie. This year, will not be any different.
It is the traditions.
Every year we go to Christmas Eve service and then drive around and look at the lights and
then go home to watch movies and wait for Santa to come.
Tradition.
Many, many years ago, my kids got wise to the whole Santa thing but they still believe in the
magic of the season and the traditions that we have created together. Actually, I think they kept
believing because they were afraid that they wouldn’t get presents if they stopped believing. My
children are all adults and there is one rule….you have to Believe.
You just have to believe. I hope that everyone finds something to believe in this holiday season.
It has been a long, hard year and we all need a break. I hope you find one.
Keep believing…..

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Tricia Verschage

MY STORY

No one believes me when I tell them that I was the quiet, geeky nerd at the back of the class. I had few
friends and was painfully shy. Thanksgiving Day 1989, I was introduced to the man that would take all
that away. My Soldier introduced me to the Army life and it has never been a dull moment. I like to call
it our Roller Coaster ride.
Seven months after we were married, he left for Desert Storm, I was five months pregnant. That taught me the first lesson in independence and resiliency. Among the many deployments, TDYs, NTC rotations, and schools, we have raised four Army Strong Brats. They have embraced the challenges of growing up Army (the PCS moves, making new friends, sending Dad off on deployments), fearing them all at the same time. I grew up with a father that served two tours in Viet Nam. PTSD was a living, breathing being in my house. Not just my father’s but my own as well.
I havelived with PTSD and trauma for 40 years. Acceptance and knowledge of PTSD has given me a passion to
get the stigma of PTSD lifted and show the world what it means to live with a crippling disorder and to
provide better methods to heal.

I married an Army Brat and after 29 years of active duty service, he is joining the ranks of the Retired
Soldiers and the new roller coaster ride of Civilian life. Our oldest child proudly serves in the Army and
has for the past three years. Just when you think that you have this Army life down, try living it as an
Army Mom. I use my experiences to guide me through the obstacles that get thrown in our way.
In my 26 years of marriage, I have served as a Family Support Group Leader, Family Readiness Leader (yes,
there is a huge difference between the two), and for six years, as a Family Readiness Support Assistant
for the Department of the Army.
Five years ago, I met Melissa and quickly volunteered to join her as she built this community. I love the opportunity of working with spouses and loved ones in this capacity. I love helping them find their voice. The Fort Riley In-Person group is my base of operations and finding new creative and therapeutic ways to release anger, frustration, sadness, anxiety, etc. is my new passion and goes hand in hand with my passion for PTSD awareness, as many are dealing with their own or as caregivers to their Service Members. The Army has pretty much cured me of my shyness and given me the strength and knowledge to help others. I can’t wait to get the opportunity to know you!