Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A Soldier Returns

1. alex Alex Relaxing at my apartment 9-7-11

Yes, there are birds in my yard, birds at the bog, and birds migrating though, but all of my attention is currently focused on the return of my son from the war in Afghanistan. Alex returned from his year deployment in August but this is the first time I have seen him since his return. I am sure you can imagine how often I reach out just to touch him and see if he is really here, to feel the skin of the young man I gave birth to over 26 years ago. Alex did his year’s deployment at a remote base along the Pakistani border. After being in numerous firefights throughout that year his vehicle hit an I.E.D. two weeks before he was suppose to come home. Amazingly he was not injured though the truck was totally destroyed. Now he is here and I can hold him, touch him, see him, and hear his voice. He is still my Alex. He still has the same sense of humor and fun. He is a really good daddy to his little girl Natalie. I am just beaming with pride and smiling with relief and joy.

2. Diane and Natalie Natalie and Diane 9-7-11

Many of you prayed for my son, or wrote him letters, and sent him care packages during his deployment. I want to thank you all for everything you have done, even if all you did was encourage me! We are one of the blessed families. I know that many other families never get to see this day. I think of all those soldiers and their families. I know what they are going through. And though my son is safely home, I still cry whenever I hear of any other soldier who has died in this war because I know how I would feel if it had been me. Thankfully I do not have to know empty arms, but many families do.

3. Meme and natalie Meme and Natalie 9-7-11

In all of the politicking going on in Washington, all of the budget fights and temper tantrums, let us not forget our men and women in uniform. We live this life we do and we have the freedom and leisure to disagree because of what our servicemen and women do for us. We must take care of our vets! Whether you agree with the wars or not, we must take care of our Vets!

So, if you do not hear much from me in the next couple of weeks, I am sure you will understand. This is why I can not go to the Mid-west Birding Symposium. This is why I will have limited opportunity to blog. I am spending time with my soldier, my son. I am spending time with my little grand-daughter whom I have not seen in over a year. I am spending time with my family, and I am being grateful, so grateful, to have him home.

18 comments:

  1. I am so happy for you, my dear! Enjoy your time with your precious family.

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  2. Thats very good news about your Son Kathie.
    Yes I despair when at least once a week I hear the Newsreader on the TV say the words, "Another British Soldier was killed yesterday in Afghanistan."Although I have no family out there, I have some friends and colleagues that I have worked with serving out there from time to time. It gets more depressing every time you hear it.

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  3. Hi Katie..what a blessing to have your son and family there all within arms reach!

    I don't know how people go on with this war and all the craziness in this world!!

    I sure hope you all have a marvelous time together ...enjoy that little sweetie of a grandaughter!!

    Take in every minute..

    Love Grace

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  4. I hope you enjoy the time with your family. Natalie looks like a sweetie!

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  5. Kathie, you cannot imagine how happy I am for you! Thank God he made it through safely and that at last you have him and his family with you again. Your little granddaughter is a real cutie-pie. Never mind about anything else, just enjoy having your boy back.

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  6. Kathie, it's good to "see" Alex! I am so happy that he and his family are visiting with you! Natalie is a cutie-pie! Enjoy this wonderful time.

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  7. Alex looks a lot like his momma! Glad he made it home safe. Scary about the IED, but happy for his safety. My brother is getting ready for his third deployment. He's Air Force and has a pretty cushy job with very low risk, but ya just never know. God bless you and your family!

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  8. Your beaming face makes me smile. I can feel your joy. Family is Most important. Heartfelt wishes go out to you and yours.

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  9. How wonderful that you are able to spend this precious time with your son. We totally agree with you, U.S. vets are precious:)

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  10. Hi Kathie. Enjoy every moment with your son and his family.

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  11. Hi Kathie, I am so glad he is back safely, what a relief for you and your family.

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  12. I have goosebumps! I'm so glad your son is home, safe and sound! Enjoy his visit! ~karen

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  13. Be grateful and have a wonderful time with your family in the real world. Blogging will always be here for you, my motto is to blog without obligation, family and real life come first.

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  14. Hi Kathie

    That is great news, enjoy your visit.

    Guy

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  15. Hi all! Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement! I have read them all and they make me smile. I will be around to visit you all soon. For now, I am still spending time with my son and family.

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  16. I was so glad to read of your sons safety and your evident happiness. The birds and blogging can wait. See you later....

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  17. I'm very happy for the good fortune for you and your family! Somehow I missed all that about your son but I want to thanks him for his service to the country. Without brave men like him we wouldn't have a country.

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Welcome to my nest! I hope you will enjoy spending time here with me and the birds. Thank you for your comments. I will try to get back to you as soon as I get back from counting more birds.