Friday, November 26, 2004
Things I'm thankful for...Ok, it's a day late. But Thanksgiving dinner was a day early so it all balances out. My Thanksgiving list:
- A terrifically supportive and loyal girlfriend, Kelley Ralg. She has consistently surprised me with the depth of her support for me - both materially and emotionally. It makes it a lot easier being here knowing I have someone as special as she is to come back home to. I think my deployment is harder on her than it is on me, and I am grateful she's been willing to go through this with me.
- My family, friends, co-workers, and other folks who know of me deploying. My parents, my brother and sister and their families, even Kelley's family have been wonderful. I've gotten emails from folks I knew as a little kid growing up in church, from relatives I rarely see, even from people that, quite frankly, I don't know who they are. I've been surprised by how an email or a card really does help lift my spirits.
- I know I already mentioned friends, but I would be remiss if I didn't specifically mention my friends up in Rochester (you know who you are.) They've reached out to Kelley to support her while I'm gone and have always welcomed me back like I never left whenever I've been gone in the past. You all are just generally good folk. I'm very grateful for your giving spirits and welcoming hearts.
- I have a cool goldfish.
- That I'm in a relatively quiet place! Not very much is exploding around here. When things do explode, it's usually the Americans doing the detonating. I'm dry, clean, warm (or cool, depending on the context) and I have good access to the internet and other communications. Technology has really changed the nature of what a war is like for the common soldier. I've thought about what it must have been like for the veterans in WWI and II. I can only imagine how lonely and miserable they must have been.
- I have a steady job, a supportive civilian employer (Starbucks) and am within spitting distance of being debt free.
- I'm exceptionally healthy (although I could stand to lose a few pounds.) Of course, if I keep getting deployed and keep giving the Army an excuse to inject things into me, that may change. But that's another story . . .
- The U.S. Postal service.
- Yahoo. I use their IM and email an awful lot, and they don't charge a penny.
- That I have an opportunity to possibly be a part of the next great movement for positive change in the world. Our parents and grandparents fought against fascism and communism to make the world a better place for us. I hope we're as successful combating radical theology, be it Muslim, Christian or otherwise.
- Ok, I admit it, it's cliche'. But I'm thankful for America. I've spent two years in Germany, I've visited London, and I'll have spent about a year in the Middle East by the time I get done here. Nobody has it as good as we have it in America. Everything is better in America. The houses are nicer, the cars are better, the food doesn't even compare. We have a wealth of diversity to experience in America from one state to another you just can't match anywhere else! I can cross an entire continent without a passport. Just think about that.
I'll give the Europeans some points for having, as a rule, better looking women. But that's about it. The Iraqis? They, um, well, they have very nice sand? And their camels are far better than American camels. - Modern medicine. In the past, the majority of people who died in a war died from disease or infection, not from battle. Me? Hopefully I'll come home with nothing more than a nice tan and a mild case of the shits.
- Those little individual serving Crystal Light packs. Those are nice. You can only drink so much water. They really make it much more pleasant to stay hydrated.
- Digital cameras
- The iPod.
- That I'm only here to visit, not to stay.
[Posted by Mark @ 11:27 PM]
Comments:
Gee, that one kinda made me teary eyed. I am thankful for kids who have grown up to be appreciative of what God has provided them .....
WOW! You are sooooo sweet Mark! I am glad that you can see the humor in things and are so thankful for what you have. We are blessed by you to. You are the best little brother a sister could have.
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Gee, that one kinda made me teary eyed. I am thankful for kids who have grown up to be appreciative of what God has provided them .....
WOW! You are sooooo sweet Mark! I am glad that you can see the humor in things and are so thankful for what you have. We are blessed by you to. You are the best little brother a sister could have.
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