“Do the next thing”

A recent acquaintance recently gave me some suggestions about my blogs…plural. In fact, he suggested that I might try sticking with just one blog, rather than having three: one that just exists in my homeschool friend world, a second that exists for the sheer fun of interacting with TeenPact friends, and then a third that chronicles the separation between my deployed husband and myself.  The advice suggested that I’m simply dividing myself up between my worlds, rather than unifying them into one place as a total representation of who I am.  His thought was that I could write about and to all of the above all in one place because they are all connected.  With this he was intimating that I might then conquer the challenge of writing more often.

This reminded me of this blog’s humble beginning about a year ago when I portrayed myself and this spot in just that way.

I say all that to say, today I have musings that have me all befuddled, and I thought, “I just want to write them all down somewhere so that I can sort through them and figure them out.  Then I thought the blog would be a good spot so that my friends who have a clue about what I am confused about, might shed some light on this or that. The trichotomy of my writing spots came to a glaring reality and I thought that maybe it was about time that I spliced some of my other concerns into this “I miss Fran, and here’s how he’s doing,” journal. After all, in about two months, (two months…can you believe it…it’s almost time for him to come home!!) what will be left of this blog?  I figure I may as well launch into the transition now since I am, um, befuddled about some things.

At a family program meeting last week, I learned that during the month of April, a local reporter was embedded with Fran’s unit and one other unit from Maine.  I went to the site and printed them all off and read them today.  There is absolutely nothing about Fran in them, but I know several of the names dropped in the articles about Fran’s unit.  It was an interesting insight into the day to day challenges and triumphs over there.  “…day in and day out, Maine history is being made here.” Bill Nemitz said.  The story about our Maine men that no one is telling.  Thought you might want to know about the articles.

Pray for the military members across the country this month.

Those of you who have military members in your circle of friends and acquaintance can go a step further and send them a card of thanks for their service or just simply call them and speak words of appreciation.  Go to this website to read more about this.

This coming Saturday, May 19th is Armed Forces Day and May 28th is Memorial Day.

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MG Robinson Visits, originally uploaded by Midcoast Mainah.

Recent note and photo from Fran:

“Today Major General Robinson, Commander of the 377th group that we are a part of came to our corner at VA. In the pic is myself, BG Robinson, SGT Gregorek and CSM Peterson. This was taken after MSG Fecteau gave the BG and CSM a commo coin.

The days are getting into the 110s on average now. We are just plotting along and getting things setup.

Going to be on the tent network any day now; can’t wait to be able to “chat” with you all.

Well, back to work.”

Ok, I fashioned a “letter to the editor” weeks ago, but never sent it. I wanted it to be especially concise and telling. I reserved it in my Word files until I could perfect it. Alas, that notion was silly and a waste of time. Here it is with all of it’s imperfection, but hopefully still a poignant honest message.

My husband is in the Middle East. His unit does Convoy Security. He’s been there nine months and I don’t expect him home for at least four more. He remembers when we cradled our 2^nd son while the Gulf War raged. He was glad he didn’t have to be there. Fifteen years later, he wishes it were different. If his going to the Gulf would have helped them finish the job, he’d have gone then. Instead he’s there now while now four children wait at home for him rather than only the two we had so many years ago. (more…)