Life in the military can be both challenging and unpredictable. For our family, it brought not one but two back-to-back separations due to military service. A nearly year-long deployment was followed with orders for a 365 unaccompanied tour and there was no small amount of stress. These separations took their toll – on my spouse, on me, and on our kids. With every deployment or cross-country DITY move, the challenge to reconnect and rebuild as a family continued to grow.
Eventually, all of the resentment and rest we didn’t get for the last several years caught up with us. This season forced our family to face a handful of hard challenges head on. We had to navigate reintegration after injury, deal with lingering PTSD., and scale mountains of unresolved resentment for the hurt we had endured. Ultimately, the hardest of these things was facing the fact that our family had suffered deep wounds and that my husband needed more intense care to address the symptoms of his PTSD. After much conversation, and the recommendation for an outpatient program, our family prepared to support my spouse through an eight-week, intensive outpatient treatment.
However, amid the turbulence, we discovered an unexpected source of solace and healing: Lego bricks.
My husband, a long-time Lego enthusiast, had often turned to these colorful bricks during tough times for a quick, pick-me-up. Ever the Star Wars fan, he would always come home with a new box of Lego when a new themed set would drop. One evening, we were strolling through the store and decided we would all get a new Lego set, rent a movie, and build them together on the living room floor. That single decision ignited a journey of healing and connection that we could never have foreseen.
As we opened the Lego boxes and began assembling the pieces, something magical happened. Instead of focusing on the stresses of military life and the challenges we faced individually, we found ourselves engrossed in restorative conversations. We laughed, shared stories, and worked together to bring our Lego creations to life. The result? An evening filled with connection, joy, and family fun.
Recognizing the therapeutic potential, we decided to incorporate it into our family’s quality time and continue to connect through playing with Lego together. When friends or family members would ask how to support us or share encouragement, we told them to send us Lego sets. During my husband’s first week of treatment, we came home to find a pile of boxes at the front door- all full of brand-new Lego sets. As we navigated the challenge of the last eight weeks, we have saved all the boxes from each of these Lego sets and have completed nearly 50 builds together! From the majestic Hogwarts castle to the enchanting Lego Rivendell set (We won a Military Marriage Day Grant and were gifted with this one!), we immersed ourselves in these creative projects.
What could have been a season defined by sadness, loss, and disappointment was instead brimming with joy, connection, and family memories. Lego became the bridge that helped us navigate the rough waters of military life and PTSD. It was through these colorful bricks that we discovered the power of play as a tool for healing.
Our experience has shown us the incredible benefits of intentional play and creativity, especially for military families facing unique challenges. Our children became more conversational, and we, as a family, built precious memories together. We would wholeheartedly recommend that other military families consider incorporating play, like Lego, into their routines as a means of fostering connection and healing.
In the midst of adversity and challenges, Lego bricks became a source of joyful family fun. They taught us that even in the darkest of times, there is room for laughter, connection, and healing. Through play, we found a way to mend our hearts and strengthen our bonds. For us, Lego is more than just a toy; it’s a symbol of connection and the power of coming together as a family to overcome life’s challenges.
So, if you’re a military family, or anyone facing difficulties in life, consider embracing the world of play and creativity. You might just find, like we did, playing with Lego can be a pathway to family fun filled with joy, connection, and love.