Adjusting- It May Take Awhile

The fog is only now beginning to clear. Lu and I had done such a good job of not jumping ahead to the finish line it has taken awhile to accept the fact that Brian is finally home. The feeling of relief is impossible to describe. We’re smiling more. I know we felt a huge feeling of relief when Brian returned from Iraq last year, but this one was different. This time we had a much better idea that the situations he was dealing with and the environment he was living in were hell - there just wasn’t a damned thing we could do about it. That made it a lot tougher. We lived each day by the saying that “it’s not over 'til it’s over”- we wouldn’t believe he was actually home until we saw his face.

Seeing Brian get out of that truck was simply a beautiful experience. He’s lost about 25 pounds (which he didn’t have to begin with) but still looks just great. It was wonderful to be together and meet some of the people in his life we had heard him only talk about before. He’s got some good friends out there. It was also very cool to meet the marines serving under Brian in Afghanistan. Each one independently told us what an honor it was to work under him. We were pretty proud parents. Everyone seemed to know “Corporal Z.”



Playing With
Dad Again
(Shawn- One of
Brian's Marines)

We spent a wonderful couple of days together. On Tuesday Brian accomplished another one of his goals by buying his truck. I still couldn’t believe he wanted to buy a truck the day after he returned to the United

States. This was all part of the plan he sketched out while in Afghanistan. He said, “You have to focus on anything to escape the reality of whereyou are while you’re there.” We learned awhile back that when you are a Marine, you complete what you plan.

A Very Relieved

Mom

Brian may be coming home for a few days next week to finally meet his nephew/Godson. His “active duty” contract with the Marines is over in late December but he’s planning on driving home from California in late November or early December and will complete the rest of his time from Minnesota. It will be good to have him home. The holidays are going to be a lot more fun this year. I’ll continue to post stuff out here periodically (therapy) and will post some of the dates and other general updates as they get finalized.

We still can’t believe the four years with 19 months of deployments, the schools, the training demands, boot camp, and all of the emotions that come with being a military family today are coming to a close. I know Lu and I are ending the journey a lot different people than when we began. I don’t plan on stopping here and will be exploring other ways to stay involved. We’ve witnessed some pretty amazing things and have met some pretty amazing people along this journey. I hope in some way I can help carry-on the legacies of those who didn’t make it this far- they have had a huge impact on my life and taught me some big lessons. One of the biggest lessons is realizing it’s not the length of time that you spend on this earth that is important, it’s what you do with the time you are here that really matters.

I’ll also continue to remember the families and loved ones of those now deployed who are going through exactly the same thing we’ve been through. Take my word; it’s not easy. They will be in my thoughts and prayers until all of our men and women are back home.

I have no doubt in my mind that God had a significant hand in getting Brian safely home to us. Brian told us that on a number of occasions over there “the prayers must have worked.” I'm glad we didn't know some of the specifics until he was home. I also have no doubt in my mind that God helped Lu and I through some of the rougher parts. I know we wouldn’t have had the courage to face them alone- we got a lot of help along the way. I have a pretty big debt to repay.

I cannot formally end this portion without thanking the family and friends who supported Brian, his Marines, and all of us during the last four years. You cannot believe how much you have touched our lives. Brian showed me the laminated pictures of family and friends he carried in his notebook (which he carried everywhere) to remind him of what he was doing all of this for- you all mean a lot to him as well.

Another big lesson to remember: Family is important- never forget it (hug your parents, kids, and grandkids a lot).

We live in a remarkable country. Especially after hearing a little about the cultures and ways of life in Iraq and Afghanistan I appreciate it even more. So, when I start to get a little discouraged with the stupidity and pettiness we experience each day, I’m going to remember what we’ve witnessed over these past four years. I’ll remember the courage, the commitment, and sacrifice of those who are protecting our freedom as a reminder that there are always good people all around doing some very good things for something beyond themselves. They are out there. We’ve seen them.

It’s been an honor to know them- and the most important one to us is finally home.

Semper Fi