Finding Grace in the 48-96 Life
Manage episode 481640596 series 3356369
When Savannah Woodward met her firefighter husband nine years ago, she never imagined how deeply his profession would shape their family life. From navigating 48-hour shifts to explaining daddy's absence to their curious 4-year-old son, the challenges of a first responder family require constant adaptation and unwavering faith.
Savannah's journey took an unexpected turn when they relocated to West Texas with their one-year-old son. "I was so against moving here," she admits, fearing the loss of her entire support system. Yet this leap into the unknown transformed their lives completely. "I attribute one of our greatest successes as a family to moving out here," she shares, highlighting how the community's entrepreneurial spirit and accessibility created opportunities they never would have found in their hometown.
Throughout our conversation, Savannah candidly discusses her struggle with postpartum depression, the resentment she initially felt toward her husband's absences, and the evolution of her priorities from career advancement to finding balance. "I'm motivated by making sure I'm not in burnout constantly anymore," she explains, reflecting on her journey toward intentional self-care and setting boundaries between work and home life.
Perhaps most powerful is Savannah's perspective on the values her son gains from being raised in a first responder family. From compassion and selflessness to gratitude and consideration for others, these lessons provide a silver lining to the missed birthdays and rearranged holidays. "He admires Justin so much," she says of her son's relationship with his father, "and Justin is teaching him incredible values he wouldn't have gotten if he wasn't in a first responder family."
For anyone navigating the complexities of parenthood while supporting a partner with demanding responsibilities, Savannah offers a simple yet profound message: "Give grace. We're all just trying to figure it out." Her story reminds us that behind every hero in uniform stands a family making countless sacrifices, finding strength through faith, and building their village wherever life takes them.
Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas
Chapters
1. Welcome to Standing In Your Truth (00:00:00)
2. Meet Savannah Woodward (00:04:54)
3. Evolving Motivations and Self-Care (00:09:35)
4. Advice: Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable (00:18:30)
5. Moving to West Texas: A Life-Changing Decision (00:22:32)
6. Motherhood and Postpartum Struggles (00:31:46)
7. Building a Support Village (00:42:21)
8. The First Responder Family Life (00:49:28)
51 episodes