Really? Did that JUST happen? The journey begins today…
Did I really leave Afghanistan? REALLY? With less than 10 hrs. notice, I was on a plane to leave country. The plane taking me away from what has become part of my life forever these past 7 months…my journey back home has begun.
When I stepped off of the airplane today, I saw green trees, clouds, and didn’t feel sand or intolerable heat against my skin! Simple reminders that I am NO longer in Afghanistan! It’s so weird to feel a cool breeze, be around ONLY Americans, and to be able to see and smell green foliage! I am taking the next few days to really reflect on the past 7 months and how much I have grown as a person and as a Naval officer. I am definitely a bit anxious and nervous to come home, but I am so ready to move on with what’s in store for me in the next year! I am so excited! I get butterflies and teary-eyed just thinking about stepping off of the bus and onto that huge concrete parade deck at Camp Pendleton with my family and friends waiting to see me come home…Will I transition back to American life smoothly? Having to really face the reality of who I have become and the life that I left behind seven months ago is daunting. I am excited, though…I am a new person, I feel. I have been stretched mentally, physically, emotionally, professionally-in just about every way possible. I have come out of it, though…understanding more about life and what and who is important to me. My life priorities have become more clear-whether that be what I want to do professionally or as Hannah.
I know what I want and who I want in my life. Deployment really weeds out what and who are important to me…I am ready to start anew as this transformed person. Another layer of my exterior has been peeled away, getting closer to the butterfly within…The thing is-I know that I’m a butterfly. I am proud of who I am, what I have accomplished, and who I have become. This deployment has been by no means easy-moving from forward operating base to forward operating base, mission to mission, with no real place or permanent bed to sleep on. I’m ready to stay put for a while. Decisions continue to lie ahead and hang over my head, but I’m ready to face those decisions head on and to make them when I get back. I am excited for my future, excited to see my family, my best friends, and to go back to Italy to enjoy the rest of my time there. I can’t wait! I’ll admit-I was dreading this deployment, despite volunteering, because I knew that I would come back changed, challenged, stretched, and worn down. I’m okay with that, though. I’d much rather that than be idle, complacent, and bored. I’m so close to being home, I can taste it! Feelings of yet another life transition and how my family and friends will see me when I get back rests on the back of my mind, but all I can do is smile. Last mile of this marathon to go and the end is in sight…I’ve come this far, and I’m not going to quit now. The journey truly has begun, even though another one is about to end…
July 8, 2010-Last night in the A-stan with my girls! Gissella Martinez, Rachel Passmore, myself, and Nikki Hurst at Camp Viking’s Danish Coffee Shop…
