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Week 51    Week 52    Week 53    Week 54    Week 55    Week 56    Week 57    Week 58   

Sunday, December 17, 2006
I am going to Florida to see my folks for Christmas for 10 days so what I packed was enough for walk on at the airport, just like the troops; we both feel it’s not a long term visit so travel light. When I think about it what I take away from one of these trips, what I carry for life that they don’t check at the airport, that no one sees are memories, hopefully that mine with my family are pleasant. Unfortunately the troops can’t say the same about those memories that haunt them until their death, natural or unnatural.

Monday, December 18, 2006
I got a call from the producer of channel 12 to do an interview after the holidays, I had met her father at a talk I gave at the Ross School in East Hampton. There are no accidents and the longer and more often I do talks the quicker we will be able to get help for our children.

Tuesday, December 19, 2006
I went to see my friend who is catatonic before going to Florida; does it do any good for her? Can she see or hear me, will she ever come out of it, what will be the long term effects if she does? I am not sure, I know that I have to do something for me so if there is any hope at least I did something. Just like when I write a letter or talk to someone I don’t know what effect it has on them but I do know that it’s effect is profound on me because what I had done which is nothing is no longer acceptable to me.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006
I made it to Florida and it was a tearful reunion because we were reminded that each day is a gift (my mother is 76, my father is 80 and a science project of modern medicine) and because of the closeness my father and I have gotten from sharing of feelings we have buried for so many years.

Met with Ernie and Dad about the meeting they set up a t the church and talked about how we should do the flyer and last minute details.

Thursday, December 21, 2006
Got up and my folks are praying, they prayed before every meal, after almost every meal, go to church and say the Rosary once to twice a day. They say they are cramming for finals, my father doesn’t know if he will make it thru the day and is surprised that he makes it thru the night. On top of all that they do charitable work. What would I do if I didn’t think I had more then a few years to live, what would I do if I thought my next breath might very well be my last?

Friday, December 22, 2006
A while ago I was given a gift and that was to get a glimpse of God’s love for me, a women who have not known got on her knees at my feet and sang me praise; I was overwhelmed. So when I was alone with my mother today I got on me knees at her feet, kissed them and told her how much I love her and that is nothing compared to how God loves her. It is a humbling experience and not a thing I would do for many people; that I could do it for the troops, in a way that it would be more then lip service.

Saturday, December 23, 2006
Went sight seeing in Key West with my folks to a Butterfly Arboretum and saw a man with a Veteran hat, I said nothing to him because I thought it wasn’t the right time or place. It bothered me the whole day that I said nothing and I realized that there is no wrong time and there is no wrong place to talk about what we are doing, every time and every place is right.