It seems like time is just flying by here now. We are in the last stretch of our training trying to plan out all the things we need to do to get out of here with everything that we need. We have been training on how to clear and search buildings—something that our team will not be doing, hopefully. We also had convoy live fires last week and were out in the field until 4:30 am. Besides those few days, there has been a lot of down time which makes me a little upset because I rather spend that time with my kids at home.
Last Sunday was Mother’s Day and it had to admit that it was the hardest Mother’s Day for me. I have been away from my kids before during Mother’s Day but there is something about knowing that you won’t spend the next one with them either that makes me sad, very sad. My children are going through many changes and I have to learn about them through emails and phone calls. I find this unfair but…these times shall also pass and things are going to be better.
The past 9 months of my life have been a true revelation for me. I have spent so much time by myself I had no choice but to get to know Vanessa, to know who I really am. I feel like I have done years of growing while being away. My senses, my emotions and the way I look at life is so much different than how it was last summer. I have truly learned to appreciate the little things in life. Being here in Kansas—especially—has been a true test to my strength but somehow I have learned to find something beautiful that will keep me smiling at least once a day.
Therefore, to make my day a little better and to find some peace, I drove west to a state park where I laid on the grass and chased butterflies all day. It was cute…I saw some Monarch and Red Admiral butterflies—also known as Vanessa atalanta—they were flying all around me and so, in my loneliness, I found comfort and beauty. I guess this was a reminder that there’s beauty everywhere, you just have to choose to see it…you have to open your eyes and see the things that are right in front of you before they fly away. I am being blessed now by seeing all the beauty around me and recognizing it as such. Here's a Vanessa atalanta...
Last Sunday was Mother’s Day and it had to admit that it was the hardest Mother’s Day for me. I have been away from my kids before during Mother’s Day but there is something about knowing that you won’t spend the next one with them either that makes me sad, very sad. My children are going through many changes and I have to learn about them through emails and phone calls. I find this unfair but…these times shall also pass and things are going to be better.
The past 9 months of my life have been a true revelation for me. I have spent so much time by myself I had no choice but to get to know Vanessa, to know who I really am. I feel like I have done years of growing while being away. My senses, my emotions and the way I look at life is so much different than how it was last summer. I have truly learned to appreciate the little things in life. Being here in Kansas—especially—has been a true test to my strength but somehow I have learned to find something beautiful that will keep me smiling at least once a day.
Therefore, to make my day a little better and to find some peace, I drove west to a state park where I laid on the grass and chased butterflies all day. It was cute…I saw some Monarch and Red Admiral butterflies—also known as Vanessa atalanta—they were flying all around me and so, in my loneliness, I found comfort and beauty. I guess this was a reminder that there’s beauty everywhere, you just have to choose to see it…you have to open your eyes and see the things that are right in front of you before they fly away. I am being blessed now by seeing all the beauty around me and recognizing it as such. Here's a Vanessa atalanta...
This is the sunset over the reservoir and also a picture of the country side in the plains of the midwest...there's peace everywhere you want to find it...
