For those of us who have been in the military you already know what I am talking about. For those who have never served and have no idea what I am talking about, lets take it back to high school. Do you remember when you were a Senior? Remember that feeling you had before you got out of school? Its very similar to that except on a completely different scale.
It is never healthy to fall into this syndrome on a deployment. Yet, here I am knowing that my time on this deployment is coming to an end. Not only is my deployment coming to an end but my time in the Army is coming to an end. So, I am getting a double dose of the syndrome.
All I can think about is stepping off the plane... Marching into our little welcome home ceremony and locking eyes with Emily. My heart skips a beat just thinking about it. The moment I step off the plane is the moment that is going to change my whole life. I will hit the ground running... After the short few days I get with Emily. I will be rushing around clearing post, getting my car and everything else ready for the long drive to West Virgina to be with her.
It will be nice to be able to finally sit on a couch again, wear jeans and a t-shirt and all the good things about the world of civilians. To be able to get in my car and just drive where ever I want to go when ever I want to go. It will be great to be back at lodge with my brethren, learning and expanding myself.
Then in April when it is time for me to move on. I will be thankful just to have Emily by my side again. This time for good as she and I travel to my hometown in Michigan. Where I will be surrounded by all the things that I have missed in my 8 years in the Army. My beautiful wife, my family and the group of brothers who raised me and have been there through all my quests in Freemasonry.
ahh... It's all just a dream right now, but it is so close I can almost taste it. Until then I need to get my head back in the game. The deployment isn't over yet... My time in the Army isnt over yet. Yes, there are all these great things going on when it starts to move in motion, but until then... Drive on Specialist Gardner, there's a job to be done.
