Here we are again, back at Camp Shelby, but this time it is to pack and leave and wait for our turn to move on to the next portion of this deployment. I really disliked leaving home again, especially to return to this place. Saying goodbye to everyone for a second time proved to be a pretty tough task. To be honest … quite depressing really. I do want to make sure that I thank everyone for making my valuable time at home really well spent. Being home that short time was awesome. As soon as I stepped off the plane and embraced my family, it seemed as if I hadn’t been away at all. Thankfully the mind is a brilliant organ, it has the ability to adjust spans of time for us, and help us with devices such a memories. I also want to thank everyone who has lent a hand in anyway to me and my family while I was away, and while I continue to be away. It means so much to know that things will be cool while I am gone. I also want to make sure I send a special thank you to the Doyle family for being there, and for Matt to making the continuation of this Blog possible.

      I do want to ensure everyone that I am totally prepared for the journey, not only from the expert tutelage that Camp Shelby has provided me, but also in some lessons that I learned while on my ten day leave. I’ll explain, which I am sure you all knew was imminent, in three major Pearls of Wisdom.

 

Peace With Ones Inner Self

             

        I’m cool with the journey I am about to embark on, and look forward to helping the people of Afghanistan. The trip is filled with so many unpleasant things that could or might happen, and of course that possibility strikes a little apprehension in me. I would be worried about myself if I weren’t afraid of such things, but I believe that I will handle such situations the best I can. Right now as I prepare to leave the comfort of American soil I have an inner tranquility with the state of affairs, and believe that the positives will certainly outweigh the negatives.  

 

 

Don’t Look Behind

 

      I have to forget all that I have learned here at Camp Shelby, although I am sure there are tidbits of data gained from here that may prove useful in Afghanistan, I am convinced that the bulk of schema built here will not serve me whole lot over there. I endeavor to learn all I can about my new paradigm, and get the most out of it. Not only accomplish my mission, but also learn about the people, the culture, and religion. Really make this trip worth my while, but when I return home, I will also do my best to only bring home memories worth having.

 

 

 

The Family and Friends Plan

      Going through this whole experience has taught me that family and friends are the most important assets I possess. I couldn’t believe how much I missed these two key facets in my life while away. Now I have been away form home before, but for some reason this separation seems so much more different. It’s tough to put my finger on the exact why, but I think it’s purely time and place. Give me a year away form home, and when I return, I will have your answer.

 

      Hopefully this post doesn’t resound the babblings of a guy expounding on all things cliché. I just wanted to throw some things out there, so people can get a glimpse at the goings on in my mind before we hit the ground running. I know I don’t openly discuss these things socially, so this forum seemed appropriate for just such things.

 

P.S. Johnson’s new headphones are quite nice.

 

Until We Meet Again,
Mark