Getting used to Matt being home

Our big lumbering middle son has moved in for several weeks while he makes final plans for a European adventure. Yesterday all kinds of good news arrived. First his passport which will open the doors to other countries. Second, his official Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps. Eight years, four on active duty and four on call for national emergencies.

I love what the Marines taught Matt and the places he got to see like Japan and Afghanistan and San Diego and places inbetween. I admire that he saw combat duty, and even lost a buddy from the Bible Study to sniper fire during their deployment.

I love the way he is preparing wisely for safety and security on the trip. I love that he is being driven by a life long love for history, some of which was first introduced through historic battle games on the computer, and later reading history. He wants to walk those Roman roads and see those ancient ruins. He bought an Olympus Digital that is small and portable but has enough clarity to come home with memories.