Back To The War Zone

And here we start again. I know the significance of the yellow ribbon 'round the old oak tree. I googled the history and it is very interesting. I have a different reason for the yellow ribbon around the tree. My hope is that every time a person drives by and sees the ribbon he/she will say a prayer for Shane. That's what I hope.

I honestly never thought this would happen again. Shane was in Iraq for 15 months. But, God had other plans.

It's not about me or anyone else. I'm trying to just not worry so much this time. Considering it's 1:48 a.m. maybe "not worrying" are just words. I've already checked the weather over there and CNN for any updates.

One thing you learn when you have a child in the military is everything is so secretive. You can not divulge any information online. "Over there" could mean Iraq or Afghanistan. "In the sand" means the same thing. You can not give out name, rank, address in any way that could be read by someone lurking or stalking on the Internet. The Taliban, from what I've read, spends a lot of time on the Internet successfully retrieving information from innocent family members.

It's not easier this time. I may be rambling. If I am, it's because I can't sleep or even concentrate on anything else. While I have been blogging I've already said several prayers. I know in the coming days, weeks and months I'll go online often hoping for a message. Any kind of communication will work.

In the coming days, weeks and months I'll try very hard to do a good job in my professional life. I'll email Sue and Karen when I am worried to the point I can't get something out of my mind. They will understand and they will find the right words to reassure me. They are military moms.

I hope the time goes fast. For Shane but also for Jess. Jess is one of a kind. I count my blessings for her every day. Say a prayer for her. She is a very strong woman but she will have her husband in a war zone. It will not be easy for her.

Gary and I will both spend too much time on the Internet researching the location where Shane will be stationed. From time to time we will just hug each other...maybe cry....wish we were better parents....wish that more of our friends were aware of what our soldiers go through....and complain less if we are hot, tired, hungry, or the cable goes out.

Each week I will mail a care package of things that I hope Shane will enjoy but know that he will not need. I'll type letters several times a week so that he will have something to hold in his hands and read when he is back on base. I'll send pictures of what Gary and I are doing on just another normal, routine day for us so that Shane can "be with us." With the last deployment I was at the post office several days a week. The three postal clerks always greeted me when they saw me in line. We were like family. From time to time they would visit with me about what type of items I was mailing. They seemed to be genuinely interested in what was going on. I already have about 50 customs forms. I just need to start filling out my name and address on them. The APO flat rate boxes are in the attic left over from the last deployment.

I do hope I'll show my appreciation more this time to Mother. I take her for granted too often. I know that she'll be mailing homemade bread every week. She will also round up her prayer warriors, which is needed.

Next time you see a yellow ribbon on a tree or car, say a prayer for some soldier.

It's now 2:17 a.m. I'm thinking about other mom's sons or daughters that are over there. Over there in the sand it is 12:05 p.m. and 91 degrees right now.