This is a common experience. A friend of mine who was deployed last year went through something similar. He on the other hand also became quiet with his wife and she was worried. Of course it is just a natural response in returning home. I noticed in myself that I was originally quiet about what is going on here in Iraq. Some that is cautiousness over keeping track about what information that I know is Unclassified and what information I know that is Secret. I don’t want to screw that up so I typically just keep quiet about it all equally. Secondly, I am conscious that in speaking on the internet, some people might construe my writing as officially endorsed by the military and I don’t speak from that perspective. On this blog, I always speak more from my education and civilian experiences than from anything else. That said, I will look at saying more about Iraq in the coming 5 months and 1 week remaining for my time in Iraq.
But today I want to talk about going home. I was able to go home and see Kelly and the kids and I can’t say enough about how great that was. Especially on this Fathers Day. It was not about what we did, but who I was with. I made a few calls and visits with others, but I limited my attention to mainly being with Kelly and the kids. We had a good mix of relaxation, craziness and work around the house. First I want to say the Kelly did a wonderful job in getting everything from the old house and into the new (I did promise here that I would make a statement about the poor service provided by the South Bend “Two Men and a Truck” organization – less than competent as movers and unwilling to resolve even the simplest of issues. We recommend looking elsewhere if you need help moving). It is really shaping up to be a great home. And becoming a home is a process. For me I am not yet there, but imagine that I will move on that when I return in Dec. Doing projects around the house helped. We were in the old house for 12 years and it was a great home, much like I am sure the new place will be.
Unfortunately, the pictures that I took around the house did not copy to the computer so all I have is pictures like the following. If you would like my new address, just send me an email and I will get it to you. All of the email and phone numbers remain the same.
The vacation was the result of the collective South Bend Culver mental enterprise. Every body a say on where we went.
- Ben wanted Mammoth Cave and that is where we went first.
- Josh originally wanted to visit the New Harry Potter exhibit in Orlando, but it was not yet open (and even if it was open, I don’t think Kelly and I would have been up for being there the opening summer). His second choice was something with dinosaurs so we went to Dinosaur World which is 10 or so miles from Mammoth Cave. There was also a great deal of dinosaur activity at Disney.
- Speaking of Disney, that was Kelly’s and mine choice. We spent three days there and visited all of the places we wanted – except for Tom Sawyer Island which was close when we got there due to the late hour.
- Sophia chose one of the coolest things we did which was swimming with the dolphins at Discovery Cover in Orlando. It was expensive, but well worth the money.
I am not back in the office after three days of travel back. Something of note is that many of my friends have moved on or are moving on soon. With one year rotations, the people you start with move on in what feels quickly, leaving you behind. I am getting to know the new crew, but it is different. It gives a different feel to the daily flow of events and what I do to relax. I will let you know how it goes.One of the people moving on is my roommate. He is a very good roommate and a great officer, but his moving on means that I will have a room to myself for a while and I am looking forward to that.
Until Next week. Peace,
Mr Culver
PS. Congrats to all of the St Joe High School grads. Fair winds and following seas on all that you attempt and God’s blessings in all things.
