Now What?

I think those words sum up my beginning experiences. Having lived the life of a Special Education teacher with a family who could count on the certainties of life; I found myself all of a sudden questioning new experiences dealing with my deployment. To "breaking the news" to my family, to the leave of absence from my job, to the lead-up training stressors, to friends looking at me funny when I told them where I was going , and for how long, and on it went. Until I was on that plane, until those long flights and layovers were through, until I hauled my duffel bags into my quarters and looked around, until then did the "now what's" begin to cease.

Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to put those "now what's" into the back of my mind and forget about them, I want to recount them and think about the lessons learned about stress, fear, family, and anticipation, to name a few. I realize that my response to these feelings have helped shape me, helped mold me into who I am, and although I may not fully understand now, they will change my life. Look me up after this is over, I'll tell you all about it! Now who else would like to share?