My brother called today!!

Okay, so that might not seem special to everyone, but it was to me. I’ve only got one baby brother and its tough having him so far from home. We are used to being able to call at the drop of a hat, but that could get expensive while he is in Kuwait, so we don’t even try.

It took a few moments to get over the initial shock, and a second or two more to ask the other caller that I had on hold if she would mind being transferred to another operator under the circumstances. She will probably never know how thankful I am that she agreed…yet another one of those times when a simple ‘thank you’ just isn’t enough.

He says that these calls are labeled ‘morale calls’. It is for the soldiers’ benefit…but it must work both ways because it sent my own morale through the roof.

It might seem a bit odd given our tempestous formative years when sibling rivalry kept us at odds most of the time, but his was the one voice that I needed to hear most today. I miss him….its that simple.

Knowing that I’m a news junkie, he reminds me not to take it all at face value…its not as rough over there as the newscasts would have me believe…at least not in his current location. That probably shouldn’t comfort me as much as it does…but it really helps to know that he’s not constantly ducking for cover.

He tells me that he’s picked up a great deal on a ManU kit….I give him my deepest sympathies on his lousy choice and he laughingly agrees to see if he can find an Arsenal kit for me.
We discuss the trivial things like their house and car that I’m sitting while they are gone and I fight back the wish that I could crawl through the phone and hug him.

He asks for pictures and assures me that he will help Jamie get internet going so that we can all keep in touch once he arrives at his assigned post…and then it is time to let someone else use the phone.

Less than fifteen minutes on the phone….maybe less than ten…

So little time….so much happiness.

arkmomy

He is the only real Dad that I’ve ever had.

It should come as no surprise, then, that my first stop on the way into work today was to check on him. His surgery was last tuesday and he was due to discharge today.

He was happy to see me and greeted me with a hug as I came in the door.

‘How did you find me?’ he asked.

Pulling back slowly, I tried not to let the worry show as I looked into the eyes of this man that I love. I know that anesthesia sometimes causes confusion in patients and that it can last up to 48 hours…but he is well past that time.

I have spoken with his doctor and Dad will be staying another day since it appears that his confusion is not diminishing.

From a medical standpoint, I can understand all that is going on. Making sure that he is well before he leaves makes sense. But his question hovers in my mind like a mist that will not be brushed away with the wave of a hand.

‘How did you find me?’

Dear Dad….don’t you know? I still love you…and if you were lost…there is no place where I would not go to find you.

arkmomy

    I got a good giggle this morning when the forecast called for snow and the schools made the decision to close for the day long before the first flake even considered falling.

   I went to work and left the kids snug in their beds with only a twinge of jealousy and a fond glance at my own well-made bed.

   Then the snow started.

    What had been predicted as only an inch or two that would stop falling by midafternoon has become six inches and rising as it continues to fall with the coming night.

    Oh well, it could be worse.

     I came home early from work and did a fairly decent job of not cussing out the other motorists. Arkansans, as a rule, do not handle snow well….not on roadways, anyway. The highway department did a wonderful job of sanding down the bridges and overpasses and the constant traffic ensured that there was nothing but clear and wet pavement. It is not cold enough to freeze, so there is no ice.

      At any rate, with a little luck and some artful dodging in traffic, I did manage to make it home to the great relief of my kids. Its pretty cool, actually. Dear Jen actually contacted me at work to remind me to come home soon because the roads were getting bad. It might not be a big deal to everyone else, but it is nice to know that she cares.

    I finally managed to drag the kids out into the snow and got off a few good snowballs at Jen…Jon will get his when he comes home (saved some just for him) from his walk. If things don’t clear up by tomorrow, we’ll just have to postpone our hair appointments and play in the snow some more.

    We took some pictures and sent some to Mike so that he and Jamie can see what they are missing. Might be a bit strange to them to see their house all covered in snow when they can’t be here, but I’m sure they will enjoy them anyway.

    I’m still not a huge fan of this snow thing…but under the circumstances, I can’t say that things are too bad.

arkmomy