AF Day 244

FOB Smart at 1800 – Friday

The weekend starts here. Before the start, however, the week behind me ended today with a feeling again of accomplishment. I observed progress on little today, but what I did see was promising. I say this because with everything slowed to a water trickling pace, the work going on around us ensures safety and protection – and this is always a very good thing here. Fridays are holy days here, so we did not see much of our contractors working here or there. Ahead is more of the same, but at least it is Friday evening. For most of you Friday night here means that it is Friday morning back home, so enjoy your day!

While my US Army Corps of Engineers counterparts in Kandahar and Bagram and areas in between work Sunday through Thursday and half a day on Saturdays, we at the PRT work seven days a week. I am glad for this, as work breaks up the monotony that we can experience from time to time – or more often as it were. Working so much can take a toll on the body, even if the work at hand involves only periodic physical exertion (long foot patrols), as sleeping periods can be limited for any number of reasons, not the least of which relating to missions or work inside of our FOB. Others in our midst work physically harder than others, including most of our wonderful and dedicated soldiers and airmen who provide mission security day in and day out. Sleep can also be disturbed by the schedules we keep, usually intentionally, and often involving staying connected back home (12 hours time difference in many cases), watching sports broadcasts (again the 12-hour time difference), or movies (I do this a lot). Many of you realize that construction management is a mostly mental affair and such requires plenty of energy and will to press on at a seven-day-a-week breakneck pace.

After much thought and consideration, I have concluded that I need much more thought and consideration in all things relating to my professional and personal lives. Yet while this sounds much like a person wrought with indecision, I can say that I do terribly miss home, wherever my home is or will be down the road, and I miss the life and amenities that are so easily taken for granted back home. Being here in this place can help to realize just how very easy we have it in the States. Everyday opportunities and decisions seem almost dreamlike here. As an example, what if I wanted to get in my truck, drive to the convenience store, then to the mall, then to my favorite restaurant or bar, then a movie, or maybe even a walk in the park? All of these random yet enjoyable opportunities are not only out of reach here, but nonexistent. If they are nonexistent for us here in this magical land, then for our Afghan partners and their families, they are unthinkable or unheard of, and yet even they have opportunities in their daily lives, they have freedoms, and yes, they have their own normalcy. I am not complaining mind you, but I do miss home. Home is wonderful, is it not? Once home, once in my restarted life, then the mystery of what, when, how, why, and where can more easily fall into place.

It was overcast most of today and the light rains began early this afternoon. The temperatures have climbed a little, so snow is not happening for now. Looking out across the nearby fields, with mountains in full view, I am always struck by how familiar the environment is here to me. I have said many times how much I am constantly reminded of Arizona here – well, except in Arizona English and Spanish is spoken, there is no war going on, and I can walk beyond the perimeters of the areas I occupy at any time I choose.

A little more of me:

Pray for the many thousands of men and women serving you and your country tonight and today all over the world without pause. Let your eager love include loving these brave many in whom we trust our very lives and way of life.

I count the days until I see you smile again. Your energy is amazing. You say the most beautiful things to me. Holding your hand makes me feel alive and loved. Hearing your voice makes my heart ache and leap. Your footsteps are indelible upon my heart, my soul, and my purpose. Your hugs make me feel like I am walking on sunshine. Your happiness makes me whole. Your love makes me who I am today. I love you, son. Good night and good day.

A mirror is like trust, once you behold its beauty and reflective qualities that can engender the greatest in us, one can never look at it the same again... and looking at trust as though it were a mirror becomes easier every single day thereafter. Life is about opportunities for excellence. We achieve nothing without automatic trust. It is others in life who will suffer their fate of mistrust, not you.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.