Ms. Veteran Affairs Helps Military Wives Reconnect with Their Dreams 

"When was the last time you dreamed of something just for yourself?"

The question cut through the chaos like a whistle in the wind. Mirasol had been rushing through the base commissary parking lot, juggling a screaming toddler, two grocery bags, and a wayward cart with a broken wheel. She froze mid-step, startled not by the words themselves, but by how deeply they resonated.

It wasn’t directed at her. It came from a woman standing by an old army jeep, holding a clipboard and a megaphone. The parking lot was abuzz with families prepping for deployment week—kids darting between cars, spouses corralling them, and service members loading last-minute gear.

Mirasol tried to shake it off. Dreams? Who had the luxury to dream when life revolved around a revolving door of duty stations, deployments, and parenting? She hustled on, her thoughts clouded by frustration and exhaustion.

But fate had other plans.

Just as she was strapping her toddler into the car seat, a gust of wind swept through the lot, sending papers flying from the woman’s clipboard. One landed at Mirasol’s feet. Instinctively, she picked it up.

It was a flyer. “Ms. Veteran Affairs: Helping Military Families Find Their Purpose.”

Before Mirasol could decide whether to crumple it or keep it, the woman appeared by her side, slightly out of breath but smiling. “Looks like that found you for a reason,” she said, her voice calm but commanding. “You should come to our event next week. No pressure, just an hour to focus on you.”

Mirasol looked at the woman—poised, confident, and strangely familiar. For the first time in a long time, she felt seen. She tucked the flyer into her bag without a word.

A Chance Encounter

The week passed in a blur. Her husband Jake had already deployed, leaving her alone to manage their three kids and endless responsibilities. The flyer sat on the counter, buried under bills and school permission slips. It wasn’t until her youngest fell asleep early one evening that she picked it up again.

The event was at the old community rec center, a place she hadn’t visited since a base holiday party years ago. She debated not going—she had laundry to fold, lunches to pack, a thousand excuses not to leave the house. But something in her heart tugged her out the door.

The rec center was alive with energy. Tables lined the walls, staffed by volunteers handing out information about career programs, scholarships, and childcare options. At the center of it all was the woman from the parking lot.

“Welcome, Mirasol,” she said warmly, as if she’d been expecting her.

“Wait,” Mirasol blinked. “How do you know my name?”

“I’m Ms. Veteran Affairs,” the woman said with a grin. “Let’s just say I have a knack for knowing when someone needs a nudge.”

The Workshop

The session wasn’t what Mirasol expected. Instead of long lectures, it was a dynamic, hands-on workshop. Ms. Veteran Affairs began with a powerful exercise:

“Close your eyes,” she said. “Think back to a time when you felt alive—when you did something just for you, not for your spouse, your kids, or anyone else.”

Mirasol’s mind drifted to her teenage years in the Philippines. She could almost feel the soft brush in her hand, see the vibrant colors spreading across a blank canvas. Painting had been her escape, her joy, before life’s responsibilities consumed her.

When Mirasol opened her eyes, they brimmed with tears. “I used to paint,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “But that feels like another lifetime.”

“Then let’s bring it into this lifetime,” Ms. Veteran Affairs said gently.

She handed Mirasol a checklist:

• Rediscover Your Passion: Write down what used to bring you joy.
• Set Small Goals: Commit to 10 minutes a day to reconnect with your passion.
• Seek Out Support: Join a group or find a mentor who shares your interest.
• Embrace Flexibility: Your dream doesn’t have to look the same as it once did—let it evolve.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Every step forward is progress.

A New Chapter

Armed with these tools, Mirasol took her first steps toward reclaiming her identity. She started small, sketching during nap times or after the kids went to bed. Soon, her sketches turned into paintings. She cleared out a corner of the garage and turned it into her personal studio.

Word spread quickly among the base community. Mirasol began receiving requests for custom pieces—portraits, landscapes, and even murals for base facilities. Her passion project became a small business, allowing her to contribute financially to her family while doing something she loved.

Months later, at a local art exhibit hosted by Ms. Veteran Affairs, Mirasol unveiled her first major piece: Anchored Dreams. The painting depicted a lighthouse standing strong against a raging storm, a symbol of resilience for military families.

The room erupted in applause, but the loudest cheer came from Ms. Veteran Affairs herself, standing proudly in the back.

“You’ve come so far,” she said, embracing Mirasol after the event.

“I never would have started without you,” Mirasol replied.

“No,” Ms. Veteran Affairs said with a smile. “You had it in you all along. I just reminded you how to find it.”

The Legacy

Mirasol’s story is a testament to the power of rediscovering oneself, even in the most chaotic seasons of life. For military wives like her, Ms. Veteran Affairs is more than a guide—she’s a lifeline, reminding them that their dreams matter too.

So, let me ask you: When was the last time you dreamed of something just for yourself?

If you don’t remember, maybe today is the day to start.

Discussion Questions: 

1. What challenges do military spouses like Mirasol face when trying to balance family responsibilities and personal aspirations?
2. How does mentorship, like that provided by Ms. Veteran Affairs, impact personal growth and self-discovery?
3. In what ways can military communities better support spouses in pursuing their passions and careers?
4. Why is it important to reconnect with forgotten dreams, and how can small steps lead to big changes?
5. What lessons from Mirasol’s journey can be applied to anyone feeling stuck or disconnected from their goals?