Heh. It’s been awhile hasn’t it. Combination of lack of wireless on top of being very busy has kept me away the past few weeks.
It’s been a great experience being here. I feel so fortunate to not only have the opportunity to have this experience but be able to learn from so many experiences I couldn’t even have imagined having.
This post isn’t about that though. It’s about the realization that in the past year or so I have truly found myself some amazing friends. Sometimes you don’t realize how luck you are immediately. I’ve always known that I have some truly special people in my life but lately it’s really shown through.
Even with technology it’s hard to keep up with friends. I know this because I’ve been there and I’ve been guilty of doing it. Your life just gets busy and if you aren’t reminded you don’t often think to call someone or send them a message.
My friends are awesome though. Especially the past few days. I can’t tell you how much it means to get little emails that someone’s thinking of me, an @ reply on twitter, or a message on facebook asking me how I’m doing; letting me know someone’s anxious for me to come home (and meaning it).
It’s not only my friends back stateside either. Friends that I have made while I’m here have been the same way, and it’s very genuine. It’s the small things that keep me going here… and also make me want to come home. They are what make me bust out laughing for 20 minutes at a time (like I did most of today) and what make me shed bittersweet tears for what I am missing back home. They are what make me realize there are people in my life I should’ve had more contact with while I was back home.. and that I shouldn’t be shy in my love life anymore.. there may be someone I need to ask out when I arrive back safe and sound.
I want to let you know that I truly love and appreciate all of you. Those who have worried about me when I haven’t been around for a few days at a time. Those who have sent me little cards and care packages… you don’t know how much a letter means when you’re here. Those who have even called me or IM’ed me to check on me. Those who help motivate me to do all I can while I’m here and try to make a difference for myself and others. Those who are okay with me being myself. Those that help give me a sense of normalcy over here. Those who are there when I need someone to vent with…. and those who know that sometimes I need to cry.. and are okay with that.
You know who you are. If you are back in the states, I cannot wait to see you once more. If we met while I’m deployed, I hope we have the chance to keep in touch and meet once again when we are all home safe and sound with our families and friends.
