After several days of remaining dazed and confused, I finally learned on Friday that I will be stateside for six months, and will then head to Afghanistan for another six months. Best of all, I will be doing three things I love to do: research, writing and editing. I’ll be attached to the same Task Force I would have been with before, but will be supporting them from N.C. until late fall.
I decided to make a trip home this week, the first chance I’ve had in almost two months. Whereas I’d thought earlier this week that I’d be staring at the incredible Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan, I instead smiled as my car reached the top of Afton Mountain in the Blue Ridge mountain range and I saw the beautiful Shenandoah Valley spread out below. I haven’t been away from the Valley for this long, and it was as if I was seeing it for the first time. Oh, and smelling it, too. I haven’t smelled farms and cattle all this time and I realized how much I’d missed country air.
Our two dogs were ecstatic when I walked in the door. They competed for space to jump on me and get ear scratches and pets. One in particular, Sunny, has stuck close to me ever since. She’s always been a “Mama’s dog,” but she’s especially cuddly now. I missed her as much as she missed me.
My gear won’t be back for about two weeks, so this is a timely trip to get civilian clothes and other things I’ll need until I get my bags back.
I’m looking forward to going to church tomorrow. I’m sure it will be a total surprise to everyone. I will enjoy worshiping with my church family tomorrow.
1 comments:
Talk about what it meant to be home.
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