Hi! My name is Maggie McCreath. A year ago this past March, “52 Weeks of Cookies” was released. Though this book covered the fourteen and a half months my son, Buddy, served in Iraq during The Surge (2007-2008), it did not reflect the years of angst before and after The Surge that my only son (one half of my progeny) cycled in and out of war zones (for a year at a time). A few years ago, however, he decided to fly helicopters … Apaches to be exact. This was a two year endeavor which provided me a short hiatus from the stress of Buddy's deployments, only to be replaced by the anguish of sitting on the sidelines while my son undertook the trials and tribulations of flight school.

Failure was not an option, and success was not guaranteed. In fact, at times success did not even seem likely. In hindsight, I honestly can not say whether it was the deployments or flight school that was worse (for me, or for my son for that matter). Chocolate Chip cookies and paratrooping bunny rabbits might be awesome as a break from war, but can only do so much for someone trying to learn facts, figures and the principles of flight. So, with no clear direction of how to help my son in his studies, I used the opportunity to finish my book and get it published.

Since publication, 52 Weeks of Cookies has seen some success. It was mentioned on Fox News' “The Five at Five” (for which I unfortunately do not have a link) and was featured in an interview with the online Today Show (for which I do have a link: 52 Weeks of Cookies: Son's Deployment Sends Military Mom on Epic Baking Mission). I was even invited to West Point to do a book signing on Parent's weekend (which was an amazing experience). Yes … a little bit of bragging here, but only to emphasis that even these events did little to relieve my (seemingly constant) state of apprehension as my son fought to gain flight status. Somehow, enduring Buddy's flight school became a more grueling experience than the relentless stress of having my son in a war zone!

Buddy's successful completion of his final test flight crystallized the reality that he would become an Apache pilot. Despite the fact that this also heralded the news of his fifth deployment shortly after graduation, Buddy's accomplishment initiated a lifting of the fog that had permeated my brain for the past year or so. I began to feel more “normal” (the word “normal” definitely being a relative term). In fact, I felt revitalized. My energy began to return and once again thousands of thoughts … random thoughts, of family, future, life and the universe in general ... began bouncing around between my ears. The problem was that I grew tired of these random thoughts waking me in the middle of the night, struggling to find a way to share themselves with something other than “the boys” (my two dogs and a kitty-dog). I needed an outlet for them – preferably before my son's current deployment overwhelmed me.

It is scary to me just how fast I lose my zest for life when Buddy ships. It seems that overnight my attitude shifts from an enthusiastic “Oh! Life is great!!” to a very discouraged “Oh great! Life!!” I am sure that this is no different from anyone who has ever endured a prolonged, stressful period of time, especially when a loved one is involved. And, as anyone who has been in these situations knows, it really is best to keep your mind focused on things other than what is causing the stress ... at least as much as possible. However, as the mother of a soldier, I want to do more than just keep busy. I want feel like I am doing something to help.

For me, my alternate focus during deployments has always been the support of my son – specifically care packages – which really is different than focusing on the danger involved with what my son does for a living. In the past filling care packages has encompassed baking homemade cookies, shopping sprees for various items to include toiletries, luxuries (such as fine cigars), seasonal candies (and toys, of course) and various crafting projects that encompass the current mood, season, or holiday.

This activity provided adequate support for my son (while providing a suitable diversion for me), but I also tried to provide a little extra in each package so that others who served with my son could enjoy a some support as well. And, it was quite gratifying to know that my efforts were appreciated. In fact, I do not believe I have ever had a greater honor bestowed upon me than when Buddy's platoon named me Platoon Mom – akin to being Den Mother to a bunch of cub scouts only there is no milk with the cookies I offer my charges, and their weekly projects and camping trips are a little more, shall I say, “unconventional?”

Anyway ... after graduation, Buddy began the process of clearing out of housing at Fort Rucker and preparing to deploy (once again). Though he was not scheduled to return to an active war zone right away (“active” being the operative word), I recognized that there was not any place he could deploy to that was absolutely safe. I had come to terms with this … if nothing else, at least I was more familiar with how to cope in this type of situation. In fact, it occurred to me that, in the spirit of “coping,” it was probably the perfect opportunity to start (or in this case re-start) a blog. It would 1) give me an outlet to share my random thoughts bursting at the seams to get out, and 2) maybe even do something productive with my new found energies. So, as Buddy prepared for deployment, I revamped and revitalized 52WeeksofCookies.com

Originally, this Website's focus was survival through support ... and I do not foresee that focus changing. I am keenly aware of the turmoil that a military career generates for all family members ... not to mention the troops, themselves. I know, intimately, the constant worry and feelings of trepidation – peppered with moments of intense fear – and they are not unique to me. But, I also know that I have had a degree of success in combating these assaults on normality ... let alone sanity. I figured that perhaps the best thing I could do with this deployment would be to (once again) share it. And, by “sharing” it, I mean sharing it all: my random thoughts, my cookie baking, my crafts, and basically my experiences with trying to keep everything positive and upbeat ... in the long run, making it all work.

I am excited about taking this journey with you … despite the reason for it! Hopefully, some will find my scribblings insightful, but more than that, I am hoping that this Website provides support to the military and their families -- and maybe even provides some encouragement to others who would like to support the troops, but are not sure where to start. And, to be clear, support is the key. Along those lines, I want this website to be as interactive as possible, so please feel free to share your comments, thoughts and/or questions regarding your experiences, this Website, or even 52 Weeks of Cookies (the book), as we make our way through the next twelve months or so. But keep in mind, being as positive and upbeat as possible is paramount to the success of any support (let alone the success of this website!)

So … until next time … (as I always tell my son) Stay Strong, and Be Safe.