An evening with Taya Kyle
Last night was a special night that I'll hold dear to me forever. I had the opportunity to attend a speaking event with Taya Kyle....widow of American Sniper Chris Kyle. To say I was excited was a complete understatement. Taya has given a voice to military wives, in a way that was never done before. Her story is all of our story. I wanted to stand up in the middle of American Sniper and yell, "Yes! Thank you. I have said those exact things. Finally I'm not alone." I loved her additions to American Sniper, and I was looking forward to reading an entire book of her own words.
I got there as soon as the doors opened and was lucky enough to get a front row seat. I read about a third of the book while I waited, in awe of the grace and strength she showed throughout the book. At 7:00 she came in, and with tears in her eyes, graciously received the standing ovation we gave her. The co-author of the book, Jim DeFelice was there as well.
Taya spoke for about half an hour, sharing both things in the book and a few stories that aren't. She then stood for over an hour taking every single one of our questions and stories. I asked her what advice she would give to first-responder families and children in light of the "cop-hating" for lack of a better term, in this country. She looked right at me as she answered, giving me some really good tips for the girls. You could tell that she really cared about each of us and all she really wants to do is help and carry on Chris's spirit.
One of the things she emphasized most is "paying it forward". It is something that she has done, that was born from her grief. It is such an important thing for our country, and for each of us to do as much as possible.
The last question of the night, wasn't really a question. A woman stood and thanked Taya for all of us. With the climate of the country and its attitude towards veterans and first-responders, Taya is like a breath of fresh air. She gets it, she has been there. And our country needs her, and people like her, now more than ever.
Most people left once the event was over, but a few of us stayed behind to try and meet her. She was probably tired and hungry, but she did not turn any of us away. When it was my turn, I thanked her for everything she has done. She then thanked me and told me to thank Skip for his service and gave me a hug. I told her that she has given a voice to all of us military wives and its finally okay for all of us to share our struggles as well. I told her that even though it's been 10 years since Skip came home, Chris's book, the movie, and her book has opened up a dialogue between us, so that we can really open up about what we both went through when he was over there. Then of course I had to ask for a selfie:)
It was a truly wonderful night and I encourage all of you to read her book and go see her on tour if at all possible. Thank you Taya for sharing your story and allowing all of us to do the same.
I got there as soon as the doors opened and was lucky enough to get a front row seat. I read about a third of the book while I waited, in awe of the grace and strength she showed throughout the book. At 7:00 she came in, and with tears in her eyes, graciously received the standing ovation we gave her. The co-author of the book, Jim DeFelice was there as well.
Taya spoke for about half an hour, sharing both things in the book and a few stories that aren't. She then stood for over an hour taking every single one of our questions and stories. I asked her what advice she would give to first-responder families and children in light of the "cop-hating" for lack of a better term, in this country. She looked right at me as she answered, giving me some really good tips for the girls. You could tell that she really cared about each of us and all she really wants to do is help and carry on Chris's spirit.
One of the things she emphasized most is "paying it forward". It is something that she has done, that was born from her grief. It is such an important thing for our country, and for each of us to do as much as possible.
The last question of the night, wasn't really a question. A woman stood and thanked Taya for all of us. With the climate of the country and its attitude towards veterans and first-responders, Taya is like a breath of fresh air. She gets it, she has been there. And our country needs her, and people like her, now more than ever.
Most people left once the event was over, but a few of us stayed behind to try and meet her. She was probably tired and hungry, but she did not turn any of us away. When it was my turn, I thanked her for everything she has done. She then thanked me and told me to thank Skip for his service and gave me a hug. I told her that she has given a voice to all of us military wives and its finally okay for all of us to share our struggles as well. I told her that even though it's been 10 years since Skip came home, Chris's book, the movie, and her book has opened up a dialogue between us, so that we can really open up about what we both went through when he was over there. Then of course I had to ask for a selfie:)
It was a truly wonderful night and I encourage all of you to read her book and go see her on tour if at all possible. Thank you Taya for sharing your story and allowing all of us to do the same.
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