The Blue Star Flag

Is now out of my window. My son came HOME last night. I cooked him a meal! We sat around the table and ate bratwurst and sauerkraut (it's what he asked for) and a key lime pie. We watched football on TV, and he is a man, so we watched everything that was on TV last night - from channel to channel to channel. It was great, great, great.

I had noticed on our previous two visits that he had a chain on his neck, and I figured it was something military - what do I know? Anyway, last night, he pulled it out and it is the St. Michael the Archangel medal I bought him before he left for Iraq last year. He said he put it on when he left and has never taken it off. I can't put into words what that means to me.

I seem to be at a loss for words most of the time lately. This homecoming is incredibly more than I ever dreamed. I was so worried about what kind of shape my son might be in. He seems to be totally himself - only with a lot more appreciation for the simple things in life that he may not have noticed before. I am just thrilled to have him home - I am so proud of the man he has grown into.

I slept too late this morning... I got to the meeting late even. Then I went and ran 6 miles. I am now 8 weeks out from my next half marathon, so the mileage has to increase. It was good to get out there. I am feeling less tired, thankGod. That was awful.

"So let each family play together or separately, as much as their circumstances warrant. We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free." -- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 133