Family ties tighten in uncertain times

Published 12:53 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – There are a few reasons why Charlotte Davis of Snoqualmie thinks her daughter Maria shouldn’t have been sent off to Kuwait last month.

Maria sunburns easily so Davis worries about her being in the desert. She is also Davis’ only child and is going off to a potential war from which she may never return.

But the biggest reason Davis can think of is Maria’s five-month-old daughter, Julia June-Emily Rhinehart. Maria and her husband James, both military police in the Marines Corps, shipped out last month to Kuwait and the most poignant reminder of them they left behind was their daughter.

Maria’s 4-year commitment to the Marine Corps was nearly up and she and her husband were thinking of moving to Virginia from their home in California, or maybe back to Washington when they were through. But her assignment to Kuwait has added on at least another year.

“It [leaving Julia with the family] was really the only decision,” said Missy Rutledge, Maria’s aunt from Preston and the family member Julia stays with the most.

Friends volunteer to watch the baby and there is plenty of help from within the family with its many members and long history in the Valley. Although most everyone is working full-time, there always seems to be someone free to watch Julia.

“We get lots and lots of help,” Davis said.

For the complete story, pick up a copy of this week’s Valley Record