Here we go again...

I know I haven't done this in awhile. I have had lots going on.

I know that I have said this before, I am bad at keeping in touch... horrible in fact. I think that it is in my blood somewhat as my brother and mother are worse than me :) Well, it is this "problem" of mine that has come to really upset me lately. Losing touch with friends... that is awful. Losing touch with family is completely unacceptable. With two of us being horrible at it, my brother and I rarely talk. I adore my brother and he is one of my most favorite people and I would absolutely do anything for him.

Well I get an email from him yesterday that just sent me reeling. He has been "mobilized"... seriously!? He has been out of the Army for a year and a half and I really didn't think that I would have to think of him in Iraq again. My ex-husband goes to Iraq and Afghanistan periodically but his is still Active Duty and besides, it is his choice to still be doing that stuff... it is truly who he is. But my brother got out, no National Guard, no Reserves, just ETS'd. There is this list though... IRR (Inactive Ready Reserves) and he was put on it for four years... I never thought that he would be called up, his MOS isn't that spectacular but apparently he had some specialized training... so with less than 30 days notice he has been activated for 400 days and will be off to Iraq before the summer.

Now I have not seen my brother in a year... it is not like either of us doesn't want to make the trip but it easy to make excuses... money being a big one and the fact that I work seven days a week doesn't make it any easier. The thought of going another year without seeing him had me in a panic. So I immediately asked them to find people to work for me this weekend and planned to drive to Colorado. When we talked last night though he said that he would just come here and that way our Dad and Grandparents could see him and his family as well. Whew... so happy to be seeing him. I am upset for the reason that we are coming together but as he said, and I know too well, when the Army tells you to do something, you just do it, you don't ask questions.

He really did grow up after all :)