13 days and a wake-up

One of the subjects that I truly enjoyed during high school was Greek mythology; I had a knowledgeable and highly motivated teacher. What young impressionable mind doesn't enjoy reading about the legends of ancient Greek gods and heroes? Today I began to feel a bit like one of my favorite mythological characters...Atlas. In case you don't remember, I'll give you a brief synopsis: In western culture, he is seen as a symbol of endurance. Atlas is typically portrayed on one knee and supporting an enormous globe on his back and shoulders. A liberal translation is that Atlas bears "the weight of the world."

Now don't read into this comparison too much, I don't think myself a god, a hero, a symbol of great endurance, and I surely don't bear the weight of the world. On the other hand, it really began to hit home today that I've got what the military refers to as 13 days and a wake-up before I depart for deployment.

The weight comparison comes to mind when I think of all the honey-do items that are waiting at home when I get back this weekend. Another comparison is the heavy thoughts that are a constant reminder of what is to come. You know when you board a plane or get 50 miles out of town on vacation and your spouse says..."Did you turn off the stove?" or "Did you shut the garage door?"...well imagine you're leaving for a year instead of a week. Simple things like who will mow the grass and who will open tight jars become real thorns in the side.

Each member of the team has deployed in the past, so we know what to expect. I think we could all agree that the hardest part of deployment for us is packing up and subsequently leaving home for the last time. I know this is also a tough time for our spouses, but in my mind the true test for those left at home begins when we leave. All four team members have a spouse and between 1 and 4 children...a household is a lot to handle by yourself, especially when you typically share half the work with a partner.

Don't misunderstand and think I'm asking for pity or sympathy, I volunteered for the military and am proud to serve our country. Team members will miss first steps, birthdays, and graduations...but I can say with 100% certainty that if what we do can help others then it's all worthwhile. The one request I do have is that each of you say a prayer for the families that we'll leave at home. Call them for no reason, visit them, and listen to them when they need to cry (it will happen).

Tonight I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Thomas Paine, "If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace."

God bless.