End of Season, New Adventures

This post has been a long time coming I know, but I am going to ask you to cut me some slack, I have been busy. Busy packing, and then unpacking, busy setting up my "control center" for packages and other Army stuff, busy making sure Daniel has anything and everything he wants, busy trying to find a new job, all in all just busy! As you all know by now, Daniel left at the end of August and is now in Afghanistan. For me it was the end of a season for us, and the start of a wild, learning, daily change of emotions adventure! Just another couple chapters in our book! :)

The Sunday before Daniel left his Mom and Dad had an open house type party at the church. After the open house we then had a church service upstairs where we anointed a prayer cloth with oil and everyone then came and touched the cloth and said a prayer for Daniel. Before the open house started we were all their decorating wondering if we'd have a good turn out...many of us said we could see it going either way, there would be a lot, or not so much. Boy were we all surprised...there was A LOT, A LOT. At one point in time someone counted 150 or 160 there! We couldn't believe it! The service was one for the books. People got up and shared stories of Daniel through the years, people were laughing, in tears, etc. Then Daniel and I got up in front. I said a few words...not nearly to the extent of what Daniel said, big surprise 'ey, but when he got up and spoke it was at that point I started to wrap my head around how many people were there. I looked out into the crowd and saw so many peoples faces, so many that care about him, about me, about us. It was a whirlwind of emotions for everyone to say the least.

That night Daniel and I drove back down to Clarksville, it was the first time that we'd been alone after the party and the first time we could talk about the party. We both came to the same conclusion, we are blessed beyond measures, blessed on so many levels, and so lucky to have so many great people in our lives. But with that said don't forget the men who you don't know. Say a prayer for Daniel, as well as all of his men and the rest serving our country. Send a care package to Daniel, but the next time send one to someone you don't know. (I myself need to do this) Daniel is many people's only connection to this war on terror...but please don't forget everyone else serving, as well as their families. If any of you want to send anything to any soldier I will send you a flat rate box, print you off a label and give you a customs form. Ok, I am stepping off of my soapbox for the day...but just one last thing. To everyone who came to the open house, to everyone who has contacted me and told me they were thinking/praying for us:

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart and Daniel's. We again are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. I guess in a sense, we never knew how many lives we touched, but are oh so lucky to have so many on our side."

Here is what I have learned in this short time that he's already been gone. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I love being busy with Army stuff, and sending packages, knowing that I helping/giving Daniel and his guys in any way makes me feel so wonderful. I love researching about the war, the area that Daniel is located, I want to know about the people, the terrain, the upcoming election, but I guess that is just the Political Scientist coming out in me. I am getting use to the questions such as, "Do you miss him?" or "Are you sad that he's gone?" I must admit when I first started getting asked things like that I was a little peeved. But I now know that people are just concerned about me and I appreciate it. But just to clarify...."Yes, I miss him to the moon and back a million times." and "Yes, I am sad he's gone." But what he's doing is bigger than me, bigger than you, bigger than any of us...and I love him so much for what he's doing.

If anyone wants to know Daniel's address, or anything else, I will tell you as much as I know or can. Just send me a message on facebook, email, stop me on the street. You'll find out...I do like to talk about him, he's one of my favorite hobbies! :) Again, thank you all for your love and support it means the world to me.