Let the Adventure Begin

I would like to welcome my Family and Scott's class from Missouri to my little personal space on the web. I hope that all of you will enjoy watching my travels because I'm looking forward to telling all of you about it. It should be interesting for all of us, and it will give me something to do that is outside the box of my Military routine.

Tomorrow is the day.

I'll be flying out of the states bound for Japan to begin this new adventure of mine. The family is prepared as best as can be expected. The separations are never easy. I've been doing this for almost 21 years with my immediate family and almost 10 years with my wife and no matter how much you try to brace yourself, it's always difficult to leave. It gets to the point where you just want to get on with it. I've been on leave and in school for almost two months, so the anticipation has been around for a while and it begins to wear on me and the family. The preparation is always the worst. Once it begins, however, the family and I immediately adjust to the situation and the emotions ease quickly. When you separate like this, beginning a new routine is the best remedy for the angst of having a loved one that is very far away. I'll begin my new Military job, and Erin along with the girls will continue life here, just in a different manner. I know that civilians find it odd how we handle the situation within the Military community, but it really becomes a way of life. It seems sort of callous to say that you get used to it, because deep down you don't, so I guess the proper thing to say would be that we are experienced at tolerating it. You always have to look at the bright side of the situation. There's no point dwelling on the fact that I have to leave. That does nothing but depress you. We have been talking about our new home in Japan and what we will do when we vacation while there, and about what the girls will be able to do on base for entertainment and education. We're all very excited about starting again on a new base, making new friends and having new adventures and the only way we can get to all of that is for me to lead the way. So, I'll be doing that in the morning. Wish me luck.