You know, I have to say that leaving my family this time has been harder for me than last time. I guess it’s mostly because since then I’ve been working really hard to have a closer family. Ever since I moved up to TN in 2002, I can say that my relationship with my family has grown exponentially closer (which means that it starts out slower then grows at an increasingly faster rate as time goes by). It’s awesome to see how much investing time pays off. It’s almost like investing money into a healthy stock market, except for my relationship with my family has grown upward and not in a downward spiral.
My Christmas was a most excellent time spent with my extended family, although not long enough. It was an emotionally charged atmosphere because everyone knew where I was going to be real soon. Hugs meant more and were more heartfelt, there were more “I love you”s, and an overall feeling of a real family environment. I am making the most of every moment, judiciously choosing where to spend my last few days.
At this current moment, I’m tired as I can be after being in a car for 18 hours, fighting traffic in D.C., Baltimore, and Delaware, driving from Columbus, GA to, what is essentially, Atlantic City, NJ with my parents, who want to see me get on the plane for when we go over to Iraq. The last deployment they didn’t even get to make it to Ft. Stewart, GA when we left in March 2003. I am currently laying in my bed, while my mom is fast asleep in her bed and my dad is on his computer chatting on facebook. We are staying at a beach house that is probably about 50 feet from the beach and two miles from Atlantic City. We are going to NYC tomorrow and I still have to look up what it is that we are actually going to do when we get up there. I will cherish these last few days that I will have with my parents because I love them deeply and strongly.
Yes, this time my departure from my family is proving to be much more difficult, but I can look forward to knowing that I will be back in time for Christmas next year, and that is one I absolutely love doing with my family. I will spend these last few days knowing full well that I will be back here just under a year from now, spending more time with my family in a happy reunion.
Wednesday, 31. December 2008
Joseph,
Denise, one of the women who often sits at the desk in the lobby of this beach house, has a son headed to Iraq very soon, too. His name is Eric. We promised to pray for each other’s sons this year, as well as all our military personnel.
We love you so very much, and I’m so glad we’ve been able to stay closer to you, at least for a little while, during the last few days before your flight this time. We’re very proud of you, you know, for so many reasons. I think I actually stand a little taller whenever your name comes up in conversation.
Hugs,
Mom