By Noelle Wiehe

Do you know that every single time I called my mom during deployment, she sounded enthusiastic to hear from me? Every time. I never felt like I was a bother or an interruption to her day. If she couldn’t talk, she’d answer the phone anyway and tell me so. I did call her nearly every single day, too. Now, who wants that many calls from their daughter in a given nine months? To say my mother is a saint would be an understatement.

I told her all the time that I loved that no matter how many times I called, she’d always sound so happy to hear from me. “Hello?” “Hi mom!” “Hi Noelle!” or an elongated hiii!” Just like that.

Maybe she was happy, maybe she wasn’t. All I know is that I felt so loved. I deployed to Kuwait between 2018 and 2019. I had been to basic training and learned who was willing to step up in my life and show me they’d be there for me even if they couldn’t talk to or see me for a couple of months, so going to another country for nine felt okay.

I am very fortunate to have the people in my life that I do. They step up when I need them to and they never leave me alone. People need those kinds of folks in their lives; I know I do.

My mom also kept my pups while I was over there. Her and my dad only owned a cat, but they took my two pups in the entire time I was gone. They let me see them on FaceTime, they fed them an inordinate amount of treats and they loved them as if they were their own till I returned.

Speaking of my pups, their enthusiasm is absolutely heartwarming, as well. It is so nice to be greeted each time I walk into the front door with such appreciation for my arrival, and their adorable faces.

I don’t know if they just know they’re about to get some food or if they love me. I’d like to think it’s both.

Nonetheless, I think about the enthusiasm my mom paid to each and every phone call. I think about it often and I try to learn a lesson from it. While I may make calls every single day to her, I can’t say I receive a call every single day from anyone.

I can’t imagine answering that many times and having the reaction she always does.

Not to mention, I’m one of four kids so I know I’m not the only one calling her.

Be as enthusiastic in your life as my mom on the phone or my dogs about my arrival home – or about food, either way – because it truly is noticed.

Noelle Wiehe is editor of Connect Savannah, a sister publication of the Bryan County News.