Six years later...

Six years ago today, January 31, 2003 - Josh enlisted.   When we met in 2004 -  4 years and 10 months ago, it seemed so far off.  Of course, I never would have thought the night we met that I would be celebrating his last "official" day of his enlistment!  It is somewhat over.  Josh cannot be released until the "stop-loss" is lifted.  Even once that is done, it will be approximately 90 days, so we have a few more months of things to do (reintegration weekends, in particular), but the end is very near.  Beginning tomorrow he will technically begin his independent ready reserve commitment, which will end on January 31, 2011.  Josh is protected for some time from being re-deployed or called up for duty, and we cross our fingers that it will never be a remote issue for us.  

This is where we really celebrate the trip to Hawaii.  He was supposed to receive that surprise tonight, but I couldn't wait.  Many people have asked and the trip is scheduled for August 2009!  It is part of my month off from work; instead of July this year, I will be gone part of July and August.  We can't wait and look forward to being in paradise for 11 days.   A great celebration to look forward to in the months ahead.

Our celebration seems a little less important after learning of some extremely saddening events our friends and family have endured in the last 36 hours.   To all of the people who prayed for us in the past year, we ask you to say an extra prayer for the Brown and Sheppard families.    They need some extra support and strength in days and months ahead.  

525,600 Minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?

This post is a week delayed and unfortunately in the past week, I have forgotten most of what I wanted to share. I meant to post on January 19, exactly a year after Josh left for Ft. Bragg.

It's amazing to think of everything that happened in the past year. I think it is easiest to see the duration of the deployment when you look at before and after pictures of our nieces and nephews. Dominic, Jonathan, Cassie, Francesca and Hailey each grew leaps and bounds. Dominic is now in kindergarten and Jonathan will be heading off to pre-school next year. When Josh left, Cassie, Francesa and Hailey were crawling. Cassie had no hair and Francesca's hair was about 5 inches shorter than it is today. Today they are running all over, getting into everything, developing very unique personalities that weren't so apparent a year ago and getting ready to take on the age of 2. Nephews #3 and 4 and Niece #4 - Takoda, TJ and Ella all arrived in the past year. Diane's entire pregnancy with the twins occurred while Josh was gone and he met them when they were 3 months and 3 days old.

As for Josh and I, I think it is harder to see the changes that occured while he was gone. We both think we have aged, but I am guessing (hoping) that is not so apparent to others.

It will be interesting to see what changes are in store for Josh and I in the coming year. Where will be on January 19, 2010?

Happy Engagement Anniversary

Josh proposed to me four years ago today. It was such a wonderful day and one that I never would have guessed for it to end the way it did. For those of you who have come into our lives since our engagement and/or wedding, here is the short version of the proposal story that we included in our Christmas cards that year... that Josh - he is somthing else!!

The Broken Road Mission, tied into their favorite song – Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts - began at his school after driving the two hours to Northern Virginia. Darci thought she and Diane were meeting Josh for dinner, but she was quickly surprised when she was told he left school already. The school staff provided Darci with a box full of items - a map, mission book, the key to his apartment building, camera, video camera, batteries, money and food... all to aid in the Broken Road Mission. Josh taped himself the night before and provided Darci with her mission on video.

On the way to each destination, Diane would read special notes to Darci which were included in the mission book. After leaving his school, Darci, with Diane’s assistance, drove from there to Josh’s apartment to their favorite breakfast spot, then through Old Town Alexandria to Gravelly Point – a place of many special memories. From there, it was on to the final destination – the Washington Harbour in Georgetown, the place where Josh and Darci went with their mutual friend Wendy (the matchmaker) upon meeting each other in March 2004.

As Darci and Diane arrived, Josh was standing on the boardwalk by the Potomac River near the very spot where Josh and Darci were that wonderful night eight months ago. Soon after spotting Josh, Darci approached him, while Diane watched with a camera in hand. Nearly three hours later and the Broken Road Mission complete, Josh proposed to Darci. And of course, she said yes!

Ahhh the memories!!

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Dedicated Today

When we were visiting the Pentagon in July while Josh was home, our tour guide took us down to see the interior Pentagon Memorial that has been established. Today, the outdoor Pentagon 9/11 Memorial site was dedicated and will be open for public viewing beginning tonight. It was still under construction when we were visiting, but we were able to catch a glimpse of what it would look like. From the direction each person is facing to the timeline of of the victim's ages, the design is amazing and a true tribute to those who lost their lives and their loved ones. Here is a great article that was recently posted about this morning's ceremony. Here is the Washington Post's recent coverage, as well as the link to the virtual memorial on their site.

"Jake", who provided the tour of the Pentagon, sent me the following pictures today. Below, I included a portion of his e-mail that he sent.

"While the dedication was a remembrance of those who died here seven years ago, Josh and all the other men and women who serve our country were the subject of every speech given at the ceremony. We are so thankful and lucky for all of those who continue to fight for our freedom, both here and abroad.

"The dedication was a very nice--and indeed moving--event. I have attached a couple of pictures taken by one of the other gents in the office. I look forward to taking you through the site the next time you guys are in town for a visit.

"Please pass my very best to Josh. I cannot tell you how much I admire him, especially after Jen filled me in on his background and vocation. I know you are counting the days until his safe return, and I can only hope that it goes by quickly for you."

A New Hope...

"For Our World"

We need to stop, just stop, stop for a moment

before anybody says or does anything that may hurt anyone else.

We need be silent, just silent, silent for a moment

before we forever lose the blessing of songs that grow in our hearts.

We need to notice, just notice, notice for a moment

before the future slips away into ashes and dust of humility.

Stop, be silent and notice.

In so many ways, we are the same.

Our differences are unique treasures.

We have, we are a mosaic of gifts to nurture, to offer, to accept.

We need to be, just be, be for a moment

kind and gentle, innocent and trusting, like children or lambs,

never judging or vengeful, like the judging and vengeful.

And now let us pray, differently yet together,

before there is no earth, no life, no chance for peace.

"A New Hope"

I need a hope, a new hope, a hope

that reaches for the stars and that does not end in violence or war.

A hope that makes peace on our earth

and that does not create evil in the world.

A hope that finds cures for all diseases

and that does not make people hurt in their bodies,

in their hearts or most of all, in their spirits.

I need a hope, a new hope, a hope

that inspires me to live and to make all these things happen

so that the whole world can have a new hope, too.

The above poems were written by Mattie Stepanek at age 11. He wrote "For Our World", a prayer, on the evening of September 11, 2001.

"The Wheels on the Bus..."

Well, it's the week after Labor Day, so we know that it means - the start of another school year! It has been a flurry of activity in the neighborhood. All of the kids have been getting in their last dose of summer vacation, which has meant the laughter and screaming from the neighborhood kids has been at an all time high in the past few days. The warm weather and sunshine had them enjoying their last "freedom rides" on their bikes! On Wednesday, as I left for work, the bus drove through the neighborhood and I'll admit - I cried and I don't even have kids, let alone ones that are heading off to school. It made me think of Josh's first day of school when he started at Barry, how I took a picture of him, and how every year, his excitement grows for the start of the year.

It's hard knowing that Josh is missing out on this big moment in a job that he absolutely loves. At the same time, this hopefully marks the start of the final school year that will be interupted with the National Guard/Army trainings and deployment. This is now his 7th year of teaching where he has had to leave either for a long weekend of training, basic training, annual training, or in this case a deployment at one point or more throughout the school year. The 2009 - 2010 school year will be exciting. He'll get a full year in the classroom, the first time since the 2001 - 2002 school year when he was in Bogata, Colombia.

Being in Afghanistan, Josh has had a very eye opening experience. In any difficult situation, we all learn (intentionally or not) about our strengths, weaknesses, what we are passionate about and what we may or may not want to do down the road. I have mentioned from time to time on the blog, and some of you know from knowing Josh before the deployment what his intentions were for enlisting in the Guard - to help his country. Josh saw 9/11 from another continent and when he returned he thought it was his duty to serve. Though it does not alter Josh's committment to his truck, platoon, unit or the mission in Afghanistan, Josh will openly admit that the Army "isn't his thing." He is very grateful for the opportunity to serve and how it challenged him. Perhaps if he had a different job or role, something where he feels he would make a bigger impact, then it might be different. As he said in the post from last week, "If nothing else, I taught this one village how to get in a line one behind the other. My great contribution to the war on terror and counterinsurgency. haha. I would like to introduce modern toiletry products such as antipersperant. I searched more than one individual with the "dam has broken" sweaty pits. haha. Personnel searches-definitely drew the short straw on that one."

Through his time over there, he has discovered how much he misses and truly loves, and I mean LOVES, his job as a teacher and especially a kindergarten teacher. Not that it was ever a question before he left, but on several occassions in the last few months, something to the effect of "I have a job I really love at home" has been expressed in an e-mail or phone conversation.

Our oldest nephew, Dominic, headed off to Kindergarten this week and Uncle Josh sent him a special e-mail. I think this epitomizes his love for children and why he does such a remarkable job in the classroom.

Dear Dominic,

It is Uncle Josh. I just wanted to write you and tell you that I am so proud of you. That means I think you are a great person and I really like the things you do. You are going to be an amazing Kindergartener. I know you are going to be a great friend to everyone in your class. I know this because you are such a good brother to Jonathan and Cassie. I know you are going to be a big help to your teacher. I know this because you are big help to your Mom and Dad. Kindergarten is so much fun. You are going to learn a lot and have a lot of fun doing it. I know Kindergarten is fun because I teach Kindergarteners just like you! I know you will make great choices at school. I can not wait to hear about all your Kindergarten adventures. I am sorry I won't be able to visit with you after your first day of school, but I was wondering if it would be OK if Aunt Darci and I meet you for lunch at your school one day after I get home? When I come for lunch I am going to be really hungry, so is it okay if I eat your lunch too? I am just joking with you! haha Have a great time on the first day of school. I know you are going to do a terrific job! See you in a little bit.

Love,
Uncle Josh

To all of the teachers, especially the Barry Staff and Donna, Brian and Nikki, good luck with the start of another school year!

To all of the students, make Mr. B proud and know that he wishes he was there with you!

Thirty-Two and a Half Hours

April 29, 2006

Two years ago today was the best day of our lives.

How we spent our first anniversary . . .


Last year, shortly after we found out that this deployment was possible, we booked an anniversary trip to Orlando, Florida. We went to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Downtown Disney, City Walk, sat by the pool and had a blast.


And now, we are here - our second anniversary . . .

A half a world apart, BUT our anniversary is 32 and 1/2 hours long thanks to the time zone difference! Hey, you have to look a the silver lining, right?

"But you just smile and take my hand,

You've been there you understand

It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true."

ABC's Person of the Week

For those of you who watch ABC World News with Charles Gibson, you may have seen these clips already in the Person of the Week. The following two links take you to videos of two individuals who were recognized for their efforts in honoring our soldiers.

This one might help explain the blue star flags that you see in people's windows...
Person of the Week: Rod Robeson

This one is very touching and has been circulating through several e-mails recently...
Person of the Week: Bert Brady

Another (calendar) month down...

I justified what type of month I was talking about when I named this post, since I seem to be operating on two different types - the calendar months and then the months that are formed using the 19th as a beginning and ending point, which I just wrote about two weeks ago. I guess in a way for us, we have managed to hold onto anything and everything that can help us get through this. For us right now, it is any measurement of time - small or large.

I remember talking to Josh back in February after a particularly rough day - one that was hard for both of us. We reminded each other that this was just one bad day, but that tomorrow was a new day. Whenever I think back to that moment, I always think of Dicky Fox, the mentor in Jerry Maguire, saying... "I love getting up in the morning. I clap my hands and say 'this is gonna be a great day'!" Some days that is what it takes to get up.

When I saw Josh last weekend, I gave him a stack of cards to read - one for each day to get him through to May 1, when hopefully he will start receiving mail. One of the cards that I gave him referenced the sun rising and wishing a you a great day wherever you are. As I prepared to write in that card, I was reminded of the quote that I posted below his picture on the left. "May every sunrise hold more promise and every moonrise hold more peace." I realized that with the 9 and 1/2 hour difference in time, our days are fairly close to being the opposite. I wrote in the card that when the sun is rising for me that I know the day is coming to and end for him and that hopefully he would have a peaceful rest. Likewise that when the sun was rising for him, I would be sleeping and looking forward to the promise of a new day, one day closer to being with each other, and the promise for what will come.

We still see the same sun and moon, just at different times.

Wishing us all more peace in the coming months...