Communication

The past week was a good one for communication. TB had to go to a larger base for a class. He completed that and as often happens where he is, travel plans are iffy and determined on a day-to-day, even hour-to-hour, basis. He doesn't seem to be frustrated, though. I know he is enjoying the larger gym and better facilities.


We have been able to communicate online quite a bit. It's been very similar to when he was at his home base, before deployment. It's funny that it's my schedule that interferes with our communication more than anything else right now. The best time for him to be online is usually when I'm asleep or working. I guess he got fed up with that because one evening he appeared online around 2 am his time. The next thing I knew my computer was ringing like a telephone. It startled me at first and then I saw his YM message "ring ring" and realized he was making a video call. We talked for over 2 hours. It was so much fun! In retrospect I have to laugh at the way we jump from one topic to another...some serious, some funny, and some just plain nonsense that only the two of us would understand.

This weekend we weren't able to chat much at all. TB came online early this evening and I was certain we would have a nice long chat. Within 20 minutes, though, he said he had to get off, but hoped he would be on tomorrow so we could talk. One thing about TB, he always signs off with "love you" no matter how hurried he is. If he has a few extra minutes and we continue to exchange a few words, each of his comments ends with "love you" as if he wants to make sure that's the last thought he leaves with me.

What a Sweetheart!

I believe this is the longest I've gone without posting. I was away for a few days last week on a school camping trip and there's always so much to do beforehand that it's hard to get to everything.

A little over a week ago my phone rang. It was an odd number and I know what that means. Sure enough it was TB. We talked briefly and then he said he was calling because one of his soldiers received a package from his Angel who is also my good friend. The soldier wanted to call her and say thanks. I had the opportunity to chat with that young man briefly. He was so sweet and appreciative. This particular soldier was the one TB had been concerned about because he did not get any mail during the last mail drop. TB and I talked for a short time, mostly about the flowers, and then he had to go.


The next day TB called again. He was somewhat chagrined because he was so focused on his soldier the day before that he neglected to say anything about the packages he received from me. We talked for a little over an hour and as is his way he encouraged me to ask all the questions I had filed away in my head. When he was satisfied that I had all the information I wanted, he talked about some of the things that are heavy on his mind. Bless his heart he has so much to deal with. Some of it is related to where he is and his rank. That I can understand. It’s the drama from friends who don’t fully understand that dumping all their problems on him is unfair. He’s so tired of people complaining about their bad restaurant experiences, venting about traffic and roommates, and whining about work.

Thursday evening after my return from camping I was surprised to see TB online. He had just finished guard duty. It was very late and he was exhausted. He had an early mission the next day, but wanted to get online to see if I was there…just to make sure I was back and find out how the trip went. What a sweetheart!

Birthday Boy

The big 3-0 finally arrived for TB. I was nervous about the kind of day it would be. I knew he had a mission early in the day. He said he would open his gifts when he returned. I tried really hard to make it a good day for him, but I had plenty of help. Thanks to many wonderful friends, Soldiers’ Angels, and my class, I collected 64 birthday cards for him. I sent one of his buddies a box with a silly party hat and 24 party bags to share with the two squads. He kept the box hidden until TB's birthday. There were 30 gifts for him to open. The idea was to open them in order from 1 to 30, with the best gift being #30. When I looked at the photos he sent I could tell he did it just the opposite. Obviously he figured out what I’d done. Kind of funny that after waiting nearly two weeks to open the gifts, he couldn’t wait to open the best ones first. His big gift was a set of wireless headphones so he can listen to music while he works out. I was stumped about what to send, but I asked one of his buddies and that was his suggestion. Care packages will be on the way soon to the two guys who helped me make this a good birthday for TB.

Surprise!!

TB and I have a running joke about surprises. He knows I love them and will frequently send an instant message saying “surprise!!” when he appears online. It’s just a silly thing, but it always makes me laugh. He likes surprises, too, as evidenced by his reaction to the arrival of his birthday packages. I was not prepared for the surprise I received a few days ago when the FedEx man appeared at my door with a box containing red roses. The note was beautiful and heartfelt, although unsigned. So typical! I knew who they were from, even though he had fun denying it.