Winding Down

The month of November is over half way over, and my count clock or "donut of misery" shows that I have a mere 12 and a half days left....Just under two weeks...wow am I short.  I am so short I can play handball against a curb.  Ha ha.  But now I am still working full days and preparing to close out this deployment.  Last week I began out processing.  I have a few more days of that.  I have been busy reconnecting with home as well.  I am so lucky to have a great job to go back to and I know my boss is looking forward to my return.  My friend/co-worker Rich and his lovely wife Cheri have been tremendous helping me find a car.  I am the owner of a 2010 Jeep Liberty Limited with all the bells and whistles for a great price thanks to them.  Also waiting for me at home is my little dog Willow.  Gosh I miss her and I am real excited about re-bonding with her.  My friends Justin and Rebecca have helped take care of her while I was away.  I think that this next couple of weeks will be emotional.  Saying goodbye to my team here--all the great soldiers I have worked with and those who have be come my friends--it will be sad to leave them here.  But I have meaning and purpose in my life--perhaps more than anytime in my life.  I look forward to going home but there is a little bit of anxiety about it as well.  I remember my return from Iraq.  Everything seemed great at first but then things got rough.  Thankfully I recovered from that experience and now I know what to expect when I go home.  I am going home to work with veterans.  They need help.  The war at home will rage long after the wars end over here.  I will continue to serve as long as I can.  Just 12 days to go.  See you all soon!