Monday, September 7, 2009

Thank you

I learned from you all. The Army spouses who were willing to share their 20 years of experience with newer wives and husbands, the Sgts who talked about the tasks of preparing to leave their families for the next rotation and the soldiers who were leaving the new baby only six weeks old or their children just starting the fifth grade or high school. You were generous with your experiences and your warmth and concern and your love of this country brings tears to my eyes.

I look forward to being with you again. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and daily I send you the best I can offer. Thank you for all you do for this country.

Thank you all

I learned from you all. The Army spouses who were willing to share their 20 years of experience with newer wives and husbands, the retired Army Sgts who talked about the tasks of preparing to leave their families for the next rotation

I'm Home

It has taken too many days to re-adjust to life outside the Army post. What an amazing experience. What a satisfying, challenging and heart-rending summer and I am ready to return.

How often we spend our time thinking getting that newest car or the fancy dishwasher or the best meal at the hottest restaurant is what really matters. And those jobs where getting that final perfect shot (after 23 earlier shots of the same action) must be completed before we can wrap for today. Or thinking that something as simple as saying "good morning" to someone else who is walking her dog is a big risk.

These are the sorts of thoughts with which I have been filling my time since my return from the summer with the soldiers, their parents or spouses and siblings. These beautiful young women and men who are readying for their next assignment down range touch me deeply. I can not measure the impact I may have had, I only know I gained so much from the work with all of the people at Ft. Bragg.

Thank you all for being such an important part of my education. Thank you for giving me so much to share with my students.