When my son was deployed to Mali, Africa, I admit I didn’t know how I felt. I grew up an Army kid. I lived all over Canada and in Germany, too. My dad was away often. Then I married a fellow army kid in Petawawa, and he joined the Air Force. So I lived a similar life of moving and time alone while Husband was Away. It was a normal life, to me. (See if you agree by reading my book, Camp Follower;) )I never felt any more stress or worry than anyone would experience in such a normal life. Or so I thought. My son joined the Air Force. He is returning home (to his home, to his wife) this weekend from deployment to, what the newsfolk relish in repeatedly declaring, “Mali, Canada’s most dangerous mission”. So here I am, again, wondering how I feel. I am of course happy. Such a simple word – “happy”. I sleep better, I don’t drink as much, I plan more outings with friends. I guess I’ve now noticed that I was not exactly “happy” while he was away. Is that worry? Stress? Probably. But it’s also life. Normal life for military families. I sure am happy his tour is over, but I know other families will be experiencing their own beginnings of such times. To them, I say, you are not alone. And thank you.
See also “Your Military They Serve and Protect“
Stevie Szabad, Author 
As I read this comment; I feel proud for you, your husband , your son and your own fathers. You have a true legacy that reaches beyond just growing up as “ a brat”! I grew up as a brat but my experience is so different and limited from the perspective of the life of an extension to the military.
I started thinking if it was my son, would I be worried, would I fear for his deployment? No guarantees in life with any job. Some are given risk pay for their type of job. I think if my son choose a career in the military, I would have to respect and honour that choice. That doesn’t preclude my fears. I believe the military does it’s best to prepare it’s soldiers and no one can predict what may happen so I do believe there is still lots to improve on with the decompression and fallout from particular deployments.
All this to say, you should be proud and I think your advantage has been the background you have experienced, then marrying into the airforce and continuing to surround yourself within the environment of what is “ normal” life experiences from military life.
Growing up a brat was my only experience, and I wouldn’t change a thing other than what the accessibility and culture of alcohol did to many soldiers. I am proud of my father’s contribution to the military.
Thanks, Joanne. Yes, proud. Yes, prepared for this kind of life experience. But No, it didn’t help me to not worry. I am… happy he’s out of there. 🤗