30 Dec - Saturday

As 2006 comes to a close I can not help but wonder what adventures loom on the horizon for me in 2007. The past 40 days have been filled with all facets of the emotional spectrum. From the sleepless nights prior to my departure from home, to the secure feeling of connectivity to my family and friends from the middle of nowhere, to the sadness of losing my grandfather and seeing school children with so little, to the excitement of getting a few surprises on Christmas eve. The last part of 2006 has definitely been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. But let me not forget the hi's and low's of family and friends back in the States. My wife and the kids for starters - as the stress of the Holiday season approached I headed out of town for 6 months, but they spend Christmas in Phoenix with family. My parents, dealing with the loss of a parent, a son going to war and yet they celebrate the 1st Christmas of a new grandson. We could each go on and on about the peaks and valleys we have experienced throughout the year. But when all is said and done the one thing that always gets us through life's challenges are the people standing by our side; and right now for me that is all of you. The e-mails, cards, and packages enable me to keep my chin-up despite the isolation and struggles associated with my current job. Thank you...until tomorrow.