A friend

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 01:39:55 GMT

Happy Birthday Joe

Sat, 25 Nov 2006 04:48:02 GMT

Dear Joe,

I saw that you were on facebook today. I'm glad that basic training has left you with the ability to type. I'm assuming that means you still have all your fingers.

Do you read the newspaper now? Have you seen Doonsbury lately? The Walden Ethics Class is discussing why they shouldn't enlist because they are in degree programs. How much is a life worth? What gives it value? How can you trade a life for an action? For violence?

I read a magazine article last week about soldiers and the army medical staff in Iraq. Halfway through, I was so upset that I had to put it down. I made myself finish it. The lucky people who come back alive are missing limbs. Others have permanent brain damage.

Last week in Sunday school, we clipped magazines and newspapers to make placemats of things that we're thankful for. Amongst other things, mine had the words "self" and "vote", and a picture of the Vietnam Memorial. I was so upset over what could happend to you, that I almost cried during the service. I have no idea what the sermon was about.

--B

Do you think about dying?

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:23:06 GMT

Dear Joe,
I thought of you today. I saw a kid who looked like our favorite son (resident), the one we shared custody over. You know the one. He was sitting in the lounge and I almost asked him what he was doing there. Did a double take. But it made me think of you. Wasn't that a crazy year?

A woman died yesterday. I didn't know her very well, but I had met her a few times. She was pretty well known in our circles. Her name is Amelia. After years of struggling with cancer, she was able to rest. I'm crying now for the brave soul she was. How she took classes and worked her way through school until she couldn't any longer. Why?

Please don't die, Joe. I don't think I could handle that.

Love,
Me

Where are we?

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:21:47 GMT

Dear Joe,
Did you ever think you'd be where you are now?

I was listening to music this morning while I was working out. The songs were written and performed by a guy I went to high school with. It took me back to high school. What was I thinking those six or seven years ago?

I had no idea I would be here. I don't think you thought you'd be working for housing as long as you did. But I think you always knew that housing was not going to be your home. I'm beginning to wonder the same.

I like my job. I get to affect change in people's lives also. I wonder though, how many people do I really touch? How many people really understand cause and effect? Your choices now can affect your future.

You're doing this noble thing, but do other people understand that you are making a sacrifice? Do people really care? Because you are now a soldier, someone can use chemical weapons against you. Someone can hold you prisoner. Someone could kill you.

I wonder sometimes if it's worth the sacrifice when there are so many ignorant and ungrateful people.

Am I really making a difference though? Do people really change? And how does my job compare to what you are doing? I know I can't compare, but really...if I tried, my job doesn't seem like it has nearly the impact.

I'm feeling off center lately. I hope you are doing okay.

~Me

Fall

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:33:41 GMT

Dear Joe,
The fall is pretty here. I was walking around this morning and the leaves were swirling in the wind, like in cartoons. It was nice. I like the colors here, but I do miss the trees. There are trees here on campus, but not like when we were at school.

The kids here are doing okay. I think this year's class is a little bit more roudy than others that I've seen. I'm actually surprised no one has started a Facebook group about me yet. ;) Yet.

Do you get weekends off? Or did you have to get up early this morning? I guess you sort of got an extra hour with daylight savings time. I like that extra hour. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. ;)

I'm at work right now. I'm really behind on my conduct cases, so I'm getting files ready to hand over to other staff. Yay. That's pretty much making me happy. I wonder how the new ACD is doing. I'm still pretty sure I could have done that job. And I miss the people there often. :(

Anyway, I'm thinking about you. I hope you have a good Sunday, Joe.
~Me

Dying soldiers

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:45:54 GMT

Dear Joe,
I was watching the news today during my lunch break. (Do you have a lunch break?) And the reporter said that more people have died this month than any other month since this war began. People die in war, Joe. And they talked about the chemical weapons that can be used on soldiers. Joe, what if your skin melts off?

Why did you do this? Where will you be? I mean, maybe you won't even be in the middle east. Maybe you'll be in Germany or something. Even Korea isn't safe anymore. Sometimes I wonder if the whole world isn't safe anymore. And you are putting yourself in the thick of it.

I'm trying to support your choice, because I believe that that's what friends should do. But it's not easy right now.

I hope you're doing okay at basic.

Love,
me