Well, even though I know that this will be analyzed, and picked a part, I guess it is time for me to make one of my last posts to this blog from Kuwait. I have spent 358 days in theater. Yeah...Just shy of a year, but within the amount for me to get credit for a one year tour. Oh darn, I am leaving a week early. (leap year, 366 days.)
In the past year, I have learned a lot. A lot about myself, a lot about other people, and a lot about life in general. I learned that I am pretty darned resilient. I am adept at overcoming obstacles. I am funny when I want to be. I can be determined, and get things accomplished, or be bullheaded and not get things accomplished. I learned that even those things in life that we think will never happen, happens. I learned that dogs are like some people, and they leave our life too soon. I learned that kids are better at handling some things better than we give credit to them for, and that they understand them better than we thought they would. I learned that a 4 year old can make any day seem better, and a 7 year old can crush a day in a heart beat. (nothing like being asked when you were leaving again before you even get to see him, and I don't know how to take that.)
I learned that a horrible duty assignment can turn into a blessing. I learned that a couple of bad emails can lead to a pretty bad assignment. I learned that self fulfilling prophecies are only self fulfilling if we allow them to be, and we don't even realize we are allowing it half the time. I learned that alarm clocks are worth what you pay for them. I learned that music is an important part of life and dealing with some of the bull in it. Even though I don't show it much, but I learned that there is more to life than money, even though it is nice. I learned that communication can mean a world of difference.
I learned that a good friend with a kind word, and an open ear can make even the darkest days seem good. I learned that a wife without a kind word or open ear can make the brightest day seem dark. I learned that without attention, relationships that you thought would never end will end. I learned that out of ashes comes new life. From the ashes of one relationship, another will form. Newton's Law applied to life and relationships.....who knew? Granted, one was a marriage, the other a good friendship, but hey....beggars can't be choosers. I learned that sometimes what we have suspicions of, is sometimes best left as suspicions. (shut up Toby Keith.)
I learned humor can turn things around in the best possible way. I learned that sexual harassment affects more than just the victim. (no, it was not me.) I learned that a victim focused system sucks, and we have to change it. I learned that even me, a racist and a sexist, can put those things to the side when it matters. (somewhere in the neighborhood of almost everyone is sexist and/or racist so put your chins back up.) I learned that John Deere Gator beats a Nativa anyday because it doesn't have a speedometer, and there are more places in the other zones to park a Gator. It's also a lot easier to get a Gator when it's 115+ outside than it is to get the Nativa. Besides the breeze don't feel bad and I looked pretty good with my yellow hard hat, ACUs, and sunglasses on.
I learned that I look in brown. I also look good in blue. I learned that Under Armour is a lifesaver in the same 115+ heat. Water is the nectar of life, and you can never have too many cases of the good stuff in your room, because they always run out of the good stuff. I learned that even an old broke man can be competitive in a Soldier board. I learned that even those you don't like, make an impact in your life, even after they are gone. I learned that a friend online who listens, and who will answer the phone, is a gift from heaven. I learned that same friend in real life is a glowing example of what the human race can be. I learned that a secret can be devastating. I learned that trust is an important aspect, and without it no relationship can stand, no matter how platonic or romantic. Romance is hard. Romance while 8,000 miles away is almost impossible. I learned that the answer to every problem 8,000 miles away is not, I am in the desert and 8,000 miles away, what do you want me to do about it?
I learned that sometimes you can hit a cop car with it's lights on and it be a no-fault accident. I learned that even though you are separated, that if the insurance is in your name, you still have to do the paperwork. I learned that those entertainers--no matter how much you don't like them--move up your list of favorite entertainers if they bear the sandstorms and put on a concert or just do a meet and greet. I learned that a coin is far more valuable than an award, and can be a much more treasured possession. I learned that a good NCO is worth their weight in gold, and is a very powerful tool to have on your side. (not an ally because an ally is only used when convenient, whereas a tool is used when needed.) The right tool at the wrong time, still makes it wrong and makes it damn hard to get things changed.
I learned a lot, and have grown a lot as a person, a man, a human being, a father, and as a husband. (probably to be used in any future marriage.) I also learned that just because your spouse is in the military, it does not mean that your spouse understands the military or what you are going through in the desert.
I learned that a care package has to be shared. It exponentially increases the joy of the care package and reminds you of why we are in this world. I also learned that there is no such thing as too many home made cookies when you leave them on your desk at night and the LTC likes to snack about 2200 before he calls his wife and kids. I learned that a Chaplain is a good listener, has some ideas, and may not always agree with you, but he does know a lot. I also learned that going to one for help for the first time after 8 years in the military is too late. I learned that life can be better through pharmaceuticals. I also learned that even I, the heaviest sleeper in Basic Training, can have trouble sleeping.
I learned that friendship is powerful, and can mean a world of difference.
Well, I am off to finish cleaning/pack. I will probably post when I get stateside, and those who had my cell phone number back last year, and in March, well, I still have that number and have two cell phones charged and ready to go. Use it.
To those who have supported me over the past 12 months, thank you. I have not, and will not forget you. To my family, thank you for being there. To my kids, I love you guys and miss you. To my wife, well....................
To my friends, you rock. To my great friends, thank you, you so totally completely rock.
To my best friend, thank you so damned much, and don't forget about lunch one day.
