Talk to me now I’m older July 4, 2009
Posted by imfb in Deployment.5 comments
This week, along with the shipment of fresh fruits (finally), came the mail that has been a month in coming. As my birthday fell during the earlier part of the month without mail there were quite a few birthday gifts and cards mixed in with the batch (I’m actually impressed by people who managed to get cards to me before the mail was turned off because it evidences some real forward thinking, I’m looking at you, by the way).
And my birthday? Was a lot of fun. I spent it with some great friends, saw some amazing sites, and generally enjoyed myself. It was a relaxed day on the ship, which gave free time to take in the scenery, wander around, and generally enjoy myself.
It struck me the other day though, that as I spent this birthday deployed, I’ll be spending my next one deployed too. The years will mirror each other in odd ways. I’ll spend 6-7 months of this year and 6-7 months of next year deployed, far from home, off enjoying new places.
I miss things about home though. I miss decent food, a comfortable bed, beer, watching the Red Sox, and spending time with MD and MG (misfit dog and misfit girl, respectively). A good friend mentioned the other day that it feels like it should still be April at home, as if things should have paused when we pulled away from the pier. This is certainly true. It seems like I should be able to return home and have nothing changed.
This is really a competing impulse though. The other night I stood out on the side of the ship and watched a magnificent thunderstorm light up the skies over a gorgeous tropical landscape. Right then, watching the spectacular site unfold in front of me, I realized how much I love what I do, despite any sacrifices involved.
I hope everyone enjoys the holiday!
