Serve
No promises this time… but I’ll do my best to motivate myself to write in here on a regular basis. Geez, I’m so incredibly bad about this. A part of me wants to start getting back on to AIM again. I wonder if anyone even remembers me on AIM anymore.
Ever since enlisting in the National Guard, I’ve been approached by many individuals, even strangers, so that they could thank me for serving. I have to admit, it feels a little overwhelming. I mean, really, I elected to enlist for three main reasons:
1) The National Guard helps me pay for the rest of my schooling as well as providing me with financial assistance in other areas.
2) I’ve always wanted to serve in some compacity.
3) The experience gives me a chance to grow personally so that I can be a better father and husband.
I could add a fourth reason, but I don’t think weight loss really counts. It’s a very serious job to me, and I’m glad to serve the country, but all of this thanks given to me… as flattering as it is, it seems like I’m no more important than anyone else. But seriously, I’m glad I’ve stepped into this role, and I hope to be a positive role-model to all those around me. As far as the weight loss is concerned, however, I believe the Army is going to get me into pretty good shape. This last month’s drill alone pushed me on the physical side. I was sore for about a week afterwards. I loved the pushing, though. There’s something about the military experience that has always intrigued me, and being pushed to be better constantly somehow clicks for me.
This evening I stopped by Walgreens to get some allergy medication since the stuff I have now knocks me out, and I met one of the nicest gentlemen. The pharmacist helped me out with my questions and he saw my National Guard t-shirt and asked if I was a member. We got to talking about the Army and how his son is on his second tour in Iraq and coming back in four days. After a while we got to my training at Fort Knox and my AIT. I mentioned that I’d chosen a short AIT (Advanced Individual Training) so that I wouldn’t have to be away from my newborn son and wife for long, particularly since I’ll be going to OCS (Officer Candidates School) when I get back. He told me that if my wife and son ever wanted a free ride down to see me while I was gone, then all we had to do was give him a call. "I mean this from the bottom of my heart," he said. It’s so comforting to know that there are people out there who would sincerely offer such help expecting nothing but your service to the country. Unfortunately, I can’t have visitors while I’m gone except for graduation, and my parents will be there with Em, but he wanted me to have his name and number if I ever needed anything. I hope his son knows what an admirable man he has as a father.
On another note, Em and I traveled to West Plains so we could visit her family this weekend. It was a lot of fun to see all my nieces and nephews. Considering I’ve married into 16 of them, my back gets plenty of exercise. We’ve got grandchild number one for my parents popping out October 20th (unless he’s early of course… and it’s looking more like he probably will be). My mom has been rather vigilant in showering us with baby clothes, accessories, and the like. So far, all we need is a crib which Em’s parents will be getting us, and diapers. We’ve got 6 weeks left before she finally lets loose, so it’s getting to be crunch time. We’ve got a childbirth class next Saturday, and I’m pretty excited to learn what else I can do as the "coach". For those reading this who don’t already know, we will be naming our son Marshall Jordan Green. He’s been kicking around quite a lot lately, and particularly at night. Compared to other babies his age, though, he’s pretty mellow. We’re hoping this translates to after the delivery! He’s decided that he like using Em’s bladder as a pillow, though, so she gets quite annoyed with him. Oh well, we can’t really blame him… if I had something soft and squishy to lie on, I’d do it too!
Off to bed I go… it’s way too late. Goooodnight.