Musings of an AF Mama

Not sure now how many days left in my countdown, and I am fairly certain that it is only more depressing for me to keep track this early on.  I might resume the countdown around the 180 day mark.   Since my last posting training has gone on as usual and has been generally more of the same.   I am more comfortable firing my weapons, I have experienced a simulated Humvee rollover, I have slept on the ground and in the seat of a Humvee, I have been "blown up" by a simulated IED (scary enough for me) I have eaten more MRE's than I care to count.   Training has been somewhat deficient in medical/combat casualty management which to me is obviously one of the more important trainings we need to learn.  I am probably biased.

With May over half gone, I have missed Mother's day (though the PRT did get nice little bouquets of flowers for the 4 mothers which was so thoughtful) and Delaney's 5th birthday.  That has honestly been harder than any of the trainings I have endured while here.  I miss my babies.  All the cliches about not really knowing love until one is a parent are so true and I think that love is magnified in absence.   My wall locker is covered in Delaney's artwork and I am the obnoxious Mom that shows photos of my kids to people who are too polite to tell me that they have seen my perfect children's photos before.  I am giddy with excitement that in one week those two little people will be in my arms.  I try not to think about the fact that its only for a few days and that I will have to say goodbye again, this time for real.

my precious little people!

I have observed much about human nature while here.  These have been a few of my observations:
- people are inherently selfish.  when it comes to "stuff" we are no better now than when we were 5 years old
- most people will walk by a mess or a full garbage can than to stop and pick it up or take it out
- grown women are no more grown up than when they were in junior high when it comes right down to it.  I still have to watch my back
- 98% percent of people are completely addicted to their cell phones.  literally saw people freaking out when we were in the field with no service
- everything is better with good music.  it has the power to bring people together
- people would rather complain than almost anything and complaining is contagious.  good attitudes are hard to come by

"

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

-Thomas Paine