So where were we before being so rudely interrupted? It seems for the first time that we have changed while the world around us has remained relatively the same instead of the other way around. While a few new stores and restaurants have popped up around our home in Colorado Springs since I was last here, the place still looks virtually as I remembered it over the past year in Purgatory. While the environment has remained constant my perspective seems to have changed. It doesn't seem to bother me when someone cuts me off in traffic or the overworked and underpaid waitress forgets to bring the hash browns. There are more important things in life worthy of indignation. Even the simple treat of being able to look at the mountains through clear air rather than the dust and smoke of Bagram is enough to bring a smile.
Today is our last day in Colorado for a while as we will soon be headed to DIA for a non-stop to Frankfurt this afternoon. The month has gone by so fast. There have been days and evenings with the neighbors and family, trips to the mountains, Colorado Avalanche game, and hundreds of other normal activities that I just can't take for granted any longer. The highlight of the trip though was the wedding.
On Friday, March 17th, St. Patrick'sricks Day, our daughter Mollie married her fiance Alan at the Peterson Air Force Base Chapel. It was a fairy tale wedding that seemed to go Without flaw with my father conducting the ceremony and friends and family from all over the country in attendance. The reception at the Officer's Club was then followed by a Hooley (a loud and boisterous Irish party) at the house which was an overwhelming success. While there was a decidedly unfortunate turn of events a few days later, it was a flawless day that was the crown jewel of our time at home.
So soon it will be back to work and all the routine tasks that we seem to fill our days with, but while the train of life keeps rolling down the track with unvarying speed, we certainly seem to be enjoying the view more.
I'm glad your time with family and friends was so good. I'm sure you needed that (as did they). Enjoyed the photos.
Continued good wishes...
Posted by: MissBirdlegs in AL | March 28, 2006 at 04:08 AM
Your daughter looked beautiful, as I'm sure you know! The rest of you cleaned up pretty nice too;) Glad you enjoyed your time at home...are you still planning to attend the conference in DC?
Posted by: SK | March 28, 2006 at 04:59 PM
A beautiful bride and a happy occasion. Thank-you for sharing.
Sometime down the road, undertake a book about your time in Purgatory, Firepower. You have rare talent and I would love to buy the first copy.
Meanwhile, enjoy the lower key of ordinary life. You and Pam have earned it. God bless...
Posted by: JG | March 30, 2006 at 01:42 AM
Oh my goodness! What a fairie princess bride your daughter is!
I'm SO happy you got to be there, looking so handsome and proud in those dress blues. What a wonderful event to come home to!
Posted by: AFSister | March 31, 2006 at 04:15 PM
Congratulations! Beautiful bride - proud parents... sounds like it was a wonderful day. I'm so glad it all went well.
As for life's annoyances - it's much easier if you can take them with a smile. The only thing that will truly irritate me is if the waitstaff ignores me at a restaurant. Mistakes in orders happen - it's no biggie.
Glad you are enjoying the little things that make America so wonderful (you certainly deserve it!). I try not to take those things for granted considering all the people working so hard to ensure I can enjoy them. *grin*
Posted by: Teresa | April 01, 2006 at 06:39 AM
Congratulations!
They looked so happy. Everybody looked happy. That's what matter in life - family.
Thank you again for your service.
Posted by: Agnieszka in CO | April 10, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Congrats and best wishes to the bride and groom. Glad to see you posting again!
What lovely photos. :)
Posted by: Melinda | April 24, 2006 at 05:44 PM
Just wanted to say it was nice to "see" you online at the Milblog Conference. Hope all is well.
Posted by: MissBirdlegs in AL | April 30, 2006 at 01:54 AM
Congrats on your safe return to the world. As you move on with your life I will be moving into the one you just left. I am with LTF heading for Phoenix. I can only hope that I will handle all that the mission has to offer with pride, professionalism and courage as you have done.
Posted by: John Morgan | May 14, 2006 at 01:01 PM
Hello Sir,
I just wanted to write to tell you that it was good to read your Blog while I was overseas. Congratulations on making it back safely and with the marriage of your daughter. I looked forward to your perspective when you came out with a new twist on the Middle East and your thoughts from the front. I hope you continue writing as you transition back into the real world. In fact, my girlfriend and I started our own Blog, which was inspired by military sites such as yours. She often forwarded many military snippet’s to keep me posted on the happenings overseas and in the real world. Recently I wrote my own perspective about being back. http://backyardadventures.blogspot.com/ I hope you enjoy the view of the Rockies and I hope you don’t miss the rolling sand and desert, the little blue houses (porta johns), and other fabulous accommodations we had too much. I certainly won’t miss being shot at, mortared, and blown up on the side of the road. I look forward to your return to work to see if you miss the activities and the adventure overseas. Always Forward, Sean
Posted by: Sean | May 16, 2006 at 10:04 PM
Hey, buddy...
Good to hear you are safe and sound !! We wonder about you everytime we get together. Graham, Brian O and Brad still all work in NYC/NJ, but long to get back to Colorado.
Good to see my guidance at Merrill led you to a more productive life !!
Stay well and keep in touch.
Rick Maag
Posted by: Rick Maag | June 22, 2006 at 09:24 PM