What can one say that could possibly comfort a grieving family over the loss of a child? My thoughts and prayers are with the parents of the boy scouts that lost their lives in the tornado and all the families experiencing tremendous losses due to the flooding in the Midwest. May family and friends provide comfort to you all, at this difficult time.

Eat a banana and look 20 year younger!

Today is overcast and gloomy. Makes me wonder what the temperature is in Iraq. On days like today I find myself getting down. I read somewhere that if one takes measures to avoid getting too tired, too hungry or too lonely mentally and emotionally a person is able to have some control over how they feel. I have found this to be true. I have also found if I am involved in reading a book that provides a diversion for my thoughts helpful. Right now I'm reading a book titled Apple Cider Vinegar Miracle Health System. The book says if one does not get the required amount of potassium daily you acquire an old age look. This is premature aging due to potassium deficiency.
So I'll eat a banana and tomorrow I'll look better.

Anticipation

Sunday evenings we are winding down from the weekend. The first time David was in Iraq he was so good to call every weekend to let us know he was alright. We didn't hear from him this weekend although he did e-mail last week saying he was in the middle east. He has always said no news is good news. Sometimes I will receive an e-mail from him at work so maybe Monday there will be word from him.

This picture is of Dave form his first deployment in Iraq; his is currently on his second.

Sometimes it would be just so nice to pick up the phone and call my son. Since that is not possible I try to think what I would say to him if I could talk to him. This exercise helps me in formulating my next letter to him. I don't know if he has even received any of the letters I have sent to him. Hopefully this weekend I will hear from him. Some day if he gets married and has children he will learn what it means to wait for a phone call, letter or visit. I'm happy he is able to do the work he loves and that he is healthy. I continue to pray for his safety and the safety of his men and wisdom for our leaders.

Encouraging to others

Today I was going through some older pictures of David and remembering how he developed skill as a leader. He was in Speech, cross country track, and enjoyed school. He was a team player and encouraged team mates to do their best. He was the one who encouraged the competitor who came in last. He would find something that was a demonstrated strength for that individual and assist them in developing that part of their performance. He didn't compete with others as much as he choose to try and improve his personal best.

Sunday Funnies

It is with so much pride as parents we witness our children growing and developing into the men and women we believed they could become. When that time arrives, It is accompanied with a sense of loss, the loss of knowing we no longer have the ability to protect or help them to manage the tough bumps in the road. As a parent of adult children, I have had to learn to be patient and quietly wait until the invitation is extended to share my thoughts. (I don't always succeed, but I try) When my son was deployed to Iraq, trying to communicate over the telephone was difficult at best, due to time constraints and often poor connections. The conversations are short and mostly only have time to say I love you and try to be safe. One strategy I've found helpful is to avoid watching the news on the television, write to David every week and include items in my letters that are upbeat and positive, such as the Sunday funnies.