We got our orders a long time ago, we knew they started at the end of June....family, friends come out in droves to see you before you leave...care packages, sad goodbyes, "be safes" and with all that going on you get geared up and anxious to leave for you mission overseas. Then after the tearful goodbyes you get on a plane and head to.....WISCONSIN!
We stay here for over a month training and the feeling that you are going overseas goes away, that feeling you had after the going away party, that feeling you had when you kissed your wife goodbye in Ft Belvoir, watched your dad hold back tears while he tried to console your mother, that feeling you have that day at that moment that you are headed on a journey to a foreign land like your father before you and his father before him. that feeling that you are about to go to war....magically goes away. You are still in the US, you have a cell phone, you text, call, email, chat, video chat with everyone like it's no big deal. that feeling that you are going to Iraq just kind of goes away. it's amazing how throughout all that training preparing for war you lose sight of the fact that you are. It quickly becomes a "just get it done, check the box so we can be validated and leave this place already". the mob process is long and at times drawn out. sometimes it seems as though we are training for stuff that we don't see ourselves needing. don't get me wrong, it's all valuable training, but at that time when you've been up for 27 hours to complete a mission that hasn't been attempted or needed in Iraq since 2003, you quickly get discouraged.
so now I'm sitting here with my bags packed waiting for the plane to come (about 20 hours from now) and there is nothing left to do but leave it finally hit me....HOLY CRAP, I'M LEAVING! the more I type on this blog, the more it sinks in. Now I start to think; "did I leave heather in good shape, is she going to be okay, are our finances squared away, should i have purchased a calling card, do I really need to pack that, should I have packed this..." I've never done this before, it's new to me, I don't know what to expect. your mind tends to wander. that's when that feeling comes back.
It sort of felt like you were just away for another summer training. You're right though, it came up quickly and now its time. I've been able to call you, text you, video chat with you and even hug you one last time before you head over. But nothing has prepared me for the loneliness that I feel when I can't see your face or hold your hand or even here your voice. It will get better, maybe not easier, but I will find a way to make the best of it. Heck, I get a new bathroom and possibly an exotic vacation. Still I will be counting down the days until you're home safe and sound. I'll be anxiously awaiting the phone calls or emails and even keep an eye on the mailbox for a letter! I'll be ok sweety, we will be ok. You've done everything you possibly could to take care of me while your away, don't you worry! You take care of yourself and your soldiers. There are a number of people here that are going to take care of me here, I'm good. You just be sure to write, call, text or send smoke signals as often as you can and I'll be good. Love you husband, more than you can imagine and its only gonna get better!!!
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