Last Days

We’re down to the last stretch here in Afganistan. I can’t believe that it’s actually that close. This last week I’ve been weighed down with other concerns and worries, some of which what I was going to say in Sacrament Meeting but that wasn’t the only thing. I won’t burden you all with those details but they have gotten in the way of me really feeling the excitement of going home. Don’t get it? Neither do I. But, now that my talk is over and I’ve dealt with my own issues, the reality is finally starting to hit. To think I’ve done the “last” of certain things is so cool!

We met this morning to discuss final details and final plans. We still don’t have firm dates when we’ll arrive back in Salt Lake but it’s less than two weeks away. We were told that the guys from Utah that are at Shelby to assist in the demobilization process are trying to compress the number of days we’re actually there. Of course we all hope to be there the minimum number of days possible. Will keep you posted.

I’ve decided that I’m really going to miss the folks in the office here. They have accepted me into their “family” and made me feel like one of them. I have really enjoyed working with them. The kinds of issues this legal office has faced and will continue to face are certainly worthy of a soap opera or some soft-porn movie. It’s been a real eye opener for a not-so-naïve boy from Utah. I thought I’d heard it all but I’ve certainly received an education since working with them. The phrase of the day (actually it’s been the phrase of the deployment) is “You can’t make this stuff up.”

My room is pretty much empty. The only things left are what will fit in my carry-on and a few other things that if I don’t eat or use in the next very short time period will get thrown away. I’ve gotten rid of my fridge, microwave and Stanley is getting my TV. I even swept and mopped the floor for Zeb, since he’s moving in after me. It will be weird to move back into a house that I have to share with other people as well as sleep in a bed with someone else. OK, I lied about that part. It will be wonderful to sleep in a bed with someone else. Can’t wait but again, since this is a family friendly site I won’t go into any more details on that subject.

So I’m not sure what else to tell you about. My computer is ready to be wiped clean as I’ve downloaded all my files and pictures. I’ve packed everything away or else thrown it away. In fact the only reason I even came into the office today was so that I could use the computer. I’ll probably go to they gym later tonight, watch a movie and then prepare to move in the next little while.

But like I said, I still can’t believe that the end is in sight. What a great thing.