A Soldier's Story: March 2009

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I can see the finish line

So now that I have less than a month before I am home, the reality has started to sink in that this thing is almost over. There isn't much I will miss about this deployment but there are some things I will remember forever and some lessons I have learned. I think I will leave the reflective sort of thoughts for another day though. Call it superstition or whatever, but I'm not out of here yet so the time for reflection is still a little ways away. I will take the time to say that out of the 11 people I started this deployment with, I knew only one of them, and through this deployment we have gotten to know each other much better than we would have ever would. Of the 11 and now an addition 5 that we caught up with in Afghanistan I can say that there are at least two that I will try to stay in touch with and to some degree miss. Is that odd that I would miss a friend? I would argue that the relationships forged in the last year will probably last longer than the ones that I had in High School. There is just something about these places and events that will have a long lasting affect. There is something to be said for comrades in arms. There are some people here that I would want to be side by side if the you know what hit the fan and it's sad to say that if I found myself beside some others I would sooner have an empty space than them. I at least know what the empty space would do. I know that sounds harsh but sometimes the truth and can be quite harsh.

I think I best stop now before I go off on some wild tangent.

Once I am out of this place it will be time to reflect. I don't want to count my eggs before they are all hatched..... funny, I have 12 days left here at Ghazni

Later,

Brent

For my Awesome Wife on Mother's day

On Mother’s Day…

I think of the person that is closest to me and how I couldn’t have picked a better roll model for Drake and Ashtyn. I am so lucky to have such a spectacular woman in my life, and our kids don’t realize it, but they have the best Mom in the world.

I know I have said it before but you are everything to me. My best friend, my, my wife (of course duh), and most important to everyone else around us a fantastic Mother.

The things that you do that you don’t even realize set such a great example for our children. It’s the little things that matter and our kids will be so much better for it. Many times I know you feel like you are being too hard but even then you are setting an example, and our kids will thank you for it.

I am so proud of you. I know you think I am bias, but I understand how hard it is for you to operate in your profession and the pressures you face. Add in your motherly duties and I understand how easy it could be to get overwhelmed by events. Your attitude is so awesome. You constantly inspire me to be a better person just to keep up with you. My job and our current circumstances make your job even harder. Being a mother can be tough enough, add in a full time job that puts your life on the line, and then toss in being the spouse of a deployed service member….. you my dear are a “gem” as my Dad would say.

You make me so happy, and by making me happy I can’t help but want to make you the happiest woman on this earth. You truly bring out the best in me and I am sure our children are grateful for that. You have made me a better Dad because you are such an awesome Mother.

Thoughtful…. Is the word I use most when describing you to others. I continue to be amazed by you. Many people think about doing things but you actually think up something and follow through. You are always planning activities to bring our family closer together. Now I know you may give the credit to other people or websites but it is you that is always seeking out ways to bring us closer together. You are the hub of a wagon wheel that we call our family.

My darling wife you never give yourself enough credit and on this day I want you to know how much I appreciate what you do for our family. Mother is just a word and when I look at you and what you do, I now know what the meaning of that word is.

I Love You so very much,

Brent