I was watching Fox News and what flashes across the screen was the breaking news that 12 Marines were killed near the Syrian border. The awful flashes in my mind immediately are Marines in dress blues standing at my door.

In the moment, a dreaded knock on my door is creeping its way into my head. But I shut it out and will it away. I wait. Three agonizing days go by. I receive a call from the Key Wives. The 12 Marines are from my husband's unit and everyone else is fine.

My heart drops and then lifts again. I cried for hours that day. Sadness for our Marines lost and happiness for my husband. Sadness for Doug and his sorrow for the families of the Marines and that deep feeling of heaviness staying on my heart.

Doug's phone call was late at night and I woke to the sound of his voice and then the peace came.