Friends and Family Trilogy:
I dedicate this entry to elements of my visit home, something I’ve described to myself as, Family and Friends R&R Trilogy. Three incredible events with profound affects welcomed me back home from Afghanistan during my short visit on American soil. I united with people loved, missed and needed to connect as criteria to carry me through the second half of my deployment. The trilogy went as follows; Greetings at Boston airport, Open house with friends in Vermont and a Turner family gathering at our summer home in Maine. These events I cherish in tribute to wonderful times spent with each of you. The flowers, food, wine, cakes and company at the open house were extraordinary. I gained much from the hugs and generosity bestowed upon me. The dinner shared at Fireworks Restaurant with those missed at the open house was equally as nice. At the restaurant I was serenade by some very nice new friends. Those memories I hold dear and have helped energize a more tolerable outlook to the second half of this exceeding long deployment. It takes my breath away when I think of love showered upon me in Maine by my family. The Turner family has grown into so much more than five young siblings living together in a household. You’ve got admit, Mom would be proud! Our family is my life’s most basic shared loyalties, importance for unconditional love and establishing most of who I am today. The seventy lobsters, multiple visits to Hout’s and days hanging at the beach made it surreal and all the more wonderful. It was nice to see the Hollis Turner’s, Shelby’s, Gore’s . I say with complete trepidation, will I be able to reciprocate the same extent of support people have showered upon me? But to each, I adorn profound appreciation for support and being there when I most needed you. Thanks to Cheryl and friends who helped at the open house. To all those who were able to visit me during my 15 days home on R&R, thank you. I had the most incredible welcome home from family and friends and look forward to seeing everyone upon my return in January when I return home for good!