Just as the song goes, my bags are packed and I am ready to go. This pretty much is it- just finishing up a few last minute things such as updating my iPod and rearranging my carry on bag for the 15th time. I don't feel worried, but I know I am stressed because my body is telling me so. I keep clenching my jaw tightly and giving myself headaches...but as much as I remind myself to relax, I find myself clenching again and again.
My life is now in 3 bags: 1 duffel, 1 ruck, and 1 laundry bag that has my whole kit (body armor, helmet, and gas mask) in it. Wow. It barely fits- my roommate and I were jumping up and down on our bags to try and make more room. When I undo the latch in Kuwait all my things are going to spray out like a jack-in-the-box...quite a humorous mental image.
Tomorrow is the beginning of something new, but even more so the grand finale. For the past 6 years I have been prepping for this deployment. All of ROTC, my officer training, my nursing school, my time working at Darnall- everything leaded up until today. As anxious as I am, at the same time I am filled with excitement and pride. I will get to do the job that all Army nurses want- to take care of the soldiers who need care the most. I am not a "hooah" person- I could never do the job that the Infantry and Armor guys do- so I do what I can, which is providing the absolute best medical care to soldiers. I am proud that I am getting this opportunity to care for America's sons and daughters. In a twisted way, I am finally going to be living my nursing dream.
I don't know what the future holds for me- be it 15 months of quiet or 15 months of hell. I don't know if tomorrow will be the last day I spend alive on American soil, or if I will return for 60 more years in this great country we call home. While my future is uncertain, what I do know is that I will give my all to the patients under my care. At the end of each long day, I can rest knowing that I did everything possible to keep everyone breathing and comfortable. It's all I have to offer, but I offer everything I have.
Today was a beautiful day here at Ft Campbell- 75 degrees and sunshine without a cloud in the sky. I couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous last day here.
I don't know when I will be able to post again- most likely it will be a couple weeks. God be with us all.
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5 comments:
Thanks for what you are doing! I will keep you and everyone else over there in my prayers daily...
Jess
Good luck, and our thoughts are with you. I am a "friend" of Stacy Larson. My daughter is serving a tour in Iraq for the past year... and is hopefully coming home soon. I hope you will be safe and will be home safe sooner than later. Good luck to you and thank you for your service. Lisa
You are in my prayers, Kelly! You are a brave woman, and I, along with many other Americans, truly appreciate what you are doing for our country. May God be with you on this journey.
I'm so glad it was nice weather for you today... that always cheers me up.
Come home soon and safe.
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The Nesties will be waiting for your safe return!!
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