Homecoming

  Thursday night we were sitting on the couch talking.A good family friend Amy came over to check on Kaya. We hear a knock at the door….I go to the door…standing there is a guy  in a boonie hat and camos. It took me a second to realize it was my little brother Jonus!!!! He was home from Iraq. Its been 10 months since we’ve seen him, almost four months since we’ve heard his voice.

  Come to find out he had got leave, set it up with Amy to pick him up and decided to suprise us for Halloween. BEST trick ever…with the best treat ever! He was wore out since he had been on planes for two days (went through four provinces in Iraq, Kuwait, Germany, Ireland,Atlanta then Indiana) and had basically only snack food and one meal.

I will try to describe how it felt when I realized it was him. My heart stopped…then started beating a million beats a minute..I couldn't stop crying,hugging him and squeezing his face. Mom was..simply..stunned. She didn't speak for ten minutes!! Her birthday was Sunday and this was definitely a great late bday gift!

   Kaya is in heaven. They wrestle together, watch tv together, dance and listen to music together. EVERTHING is Uncle Jonus right now. She is stuck to him like glue and we love it. He was worried she wouldn't remember him. No fear in that.

 

 

  Too many people forget to count their blessings and appreciate the small things in life. I have my brother…who has been in a bad warzone..home for two weeks. That alone is a blessing. He has lost four friends since he landed in Iraq. To be so blessed to be one of the lucky families that has their loved one to hug and hold..is..indeed a blessing.

   I'm very very proud of my brother, proud of what he has accomplished and what he is doing. He is a wonderful example to Kaya that if you set your mind to it…you can accomplish anything. He joined the service at a later age..told he wouldn't ever get in or pass PT..guess what..he did it, is stationed in Iraq..and in three months has moved up rank. He’s physically fit, mentally strong and still has that heart that I love. Listening to him talk about his “life” over there..is hard. You don't realize how nice it is to have FROZEN real ice-cream, real junk food, hot water, pillows, till you hear from someone that don't. Life in Iraq…for the soldiers and the people of Iraq..is not one of luxury and fun. He has MANY pictures of lil kids on his computer…and he not only gives them treats and water..he gives them attention. That..is..a true soldier and a real man.

  Welcome home PFC Wade….just remember..big sis outranks you in this house :)