It’s been too long since I wrote anything; I thought I’d better check in and let y’all know I’m still kickin’. Last week Jack and I went to East Tennessee for a little bit of rest and relaxation, and I just haven’t got back into the swing of blogging yet.
My birthday was last week, and my #1 warrior in Iraq sent flowers. They were waiting for me when Jack and I got home on Friday evening. I was surprised and touched by Dana’s thoughtfulness. I got Jack to take a picture of me holding the flowers, then posted it on her wall on facebook with a heart-felt thank you. I figured she should at least get to see the actual flowers she’d ordered; you never know when you order flowers online if they’re going to look like the picture you ordered from or not. These were beautiful, I know that much.
All three of the troops I sent cookies to received them in pretty good time. Actually, the two Soldiers in Iraq got their cookies before my Marine in Kuwait, but that might be his fault…he had posted on facebook that he heard Zippy the Super Snail was on vacation the day I mailed the three boxes of cookies, which may have put a hex on his…LOL! I’ve just bought more bananas, applesauce, chocolate chips, and raisins for the next bunch of cookies. As soon as the bananas reach the perfect state of over-ripeness, I’ll be baking again.
Ron was in Kuwait longer than expected, so when he finally got to Iraq he had two packages and a card waiting for him. The cookies arrived the next day. The first box I sent had a set of Steelers sheets, a pillow, a Steelers monkey, and a bunch of goodies for him and his Soldiers to share. The second box had a Steelers throw in it. He sent me a message on Yahoo IM to let me know he’d gotten everything, and said the cookies were still moist and tasted awesome. I told him that was my grandpa’s secret cookie recipe with a Ms Tracy touch, so of course they were still moist and delicious…I mean, c’mon now…would I send icky cookies to our Heroes?? I think not…*giggles!* I also gave him a hint – pop one of those cookies in the microwave for about 10 – 15 seconds, and it’ll be just like eating one fresh out of the oven. I think by the time I gave him that advice, all the cookies were history, which is why I’m getting ready to send some more.
I got to chat with one of our Warriors who just got back to Iraq from his R&R leave. He said he and his family had lots of fun, but he misses them already. It’s a common theme – going back after R&R is harder than the original deployment, both on our Warriors and on their families. He said his son has grown so much (he’s 3) and his daughter is becoming a little lady (she’s 8 if I remember correctly) and he is missing it all. He’s been in the Army forever and a day, and deployments are nothing new to him and his family, but that doesn’t mean it’s any easier when you’re separated for so long from those you love. He’s got grown children, one in the Navy and one in the Air Force, and a teenager as well. So you can pretty well imagine how it’s been – a lot of moving around, and lots of milestones missed while Daddy was deployed. Just one of many sacrifices that are made on our behalf every day. Not something we should take for granted – though too many do just exactly that.
When we were chatting, he said it is so important for our troops to know that people appreciate them and support not just them but their families as well. I asked if there was anything in particular that I could send to him and his Soldiers to help put smiles on their faces, and he said “Just keep writing. You’d be surprised how much a letter means over here.” Before he signed off, he said “Thank you for being who you are.” I couldn’t think of a response to that one; who I am is all I know how to be. So I just told him to rest well, and stay safe, and that I’d catch him later. (Actually, what I said was “Rest well, William. Blah blah blah, nag nag nag, STAY SAFE! Don’t make me have to come over there… Catch ya later, gator.” That got a smiley face icon in reply…)
I need to make a trip to Sam’s and pick up a few things for the next round of packages. The tubs of individually wrapped twizzlers are popular, and any kind of trail mix, nuts, sunflower seeds, granola bars, beef jerky and slim jims. They’re cheaper at Sam’s, and I can buy a case each of several items and put together some pretty good care packages that hold a good variety of “stuff” for our kids in the sandbox. I just call ‘em “pocket-friendly snacks.” That covers a lot of territory. LOL!
Okay, I’ve gone on long enough to put everybody to sleep and then some. Thanks for reading my ramblings; I never quite know where I’m going when I sit down and start typing. Y’all take care, and I’ll type at ya later. (Consider that to be fair warning!)