Josh

Active Duty in Iraq

 

 

Josh with Dakoda in February, 08

 

 

 

 Dakoda James

My Great-Grandson age 5 months

 

I miss my Grandson Josh and cannot wait till he is able to come home from his tour in Iraq.  His wife Megan needs him and his baby son Dakoda needs him.

It must be so difficult for Josh who already knows this, yet his greatest desire is to join the Rangers and continue his military career, allowing the Military to send him where he is needed.

 

I know all this, as Josh and I have talked about it.  My heart aches for my Grandson, because so much has been added onto his young shoulders.  Josh is 19 years old...married and a father.  He found himself in Iraq a few short months after marrying Megan who is 19 as well.  Both are babies and now they have a baby...(like Sterling and I) I think sighing to myself. 

 

Life is for the young I think as I contemplate my past.  And yet, selfishly I think to myself, I still feel so young inside...in my heart.  My soul is a young soul..not an ancient one...not yet.  I am not wise enough to have an ancient soul within me..yet, I am not so old as to not understand Life and love...and the ecstacy of young love and the heartache of lost love.  

 

The things I have learned, and yet I have more to experience...I am not finished yet with living my life.  I am not finished yet as a mother or a Grandmother.  I am not finished yet as a Great-Grandmother.  Josh's sister Christina, (My oldest Granddaughter) is married now and expecting her first baby (my great-grandchild) the first of November...this will be my second great-grandchild to be born.  My family continues on....

 

The puppies and I have been able to establish a routine.  It is going smoothly now.  I actually will miss them when they go back home on Sunday.  My cat Cleo will not miss the pups however, and for her sake, I will not think of adding a small dog to my home.  Another lesson learned, I think as I smile to myself.

 

I am not finished learning yet.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel nostalgic once again...memories drifting aimlessly in my mind today as I fight a head cold.  I began my cold yesterday when I attended my 18-year old Grandson Micah's Graduation ceremony yesterday from Winter Springs, FL high school.  The Class of 2008 ceremony was wonderful and to watch Micah's anticipation of the beginning of a new stage of his life was exciting to behold.  After the Graduation ceremony I went to his Graduation party held at Houston's.  We gathered out on the dock that looked over the water of the large Lake that stretches to the rear of the restaurant.    A cool breeze flowed over the water gently cooling us as we sat in comfortable lounge chairs around tables filled with delicious tempting food that delighted the senses.  I drank a Mimosa that tasted divine and savored the conversation.  I watched various couples hold hands...and look at one another with the look that only lovers share.  I sat quietly...a watcher among the crowd...an observer from afar.  My head cold made my head ache...I fought the urge to sneeze.

Afterwards as I drove home... I whispered to Michael in the dark...I wish you could have been there.  You would have enjoyed seeing our Grandson graduate.  I wish you could have gotten to know him...

I wish..oh how I wish I could have heard your laughter...

Felt your arm around me...

 I wish I could see your face once more...

With just one more look at you...