Look Who Came for Breakfast

Last night was our big school fund raising night out.  I was surprised when I got a call from Phil.
 Good news!
The Captain was at the airport and Ceece, Bean and Bugg were on their way to get him.  When he left he told us not to plan on seeing him for a year.  We knew he'd get a leave a some point, but didn't know if he'd be able to get back home. We never said one word to the kids for fear of it not happening.
He wasn't allowed to tell his whereabouts until he was stateside.   He said, still at the first of the week, he wasn't sure it was going to happen.  After four days and seven stops, he made it, praise the Lord!!!

At the school's big event are, of course, the teachers I work with and many of my student's parents.  Between our service project and Veteran's Day they are all very aware of him, so there were lots of happy tears and squeals and the question, "Why are still here?"  "You are going aren't you?"
 Never having experienced this before, I wasn't sure how I'd feel, or what I'd do.  Now I know.  I think there has been a place inside of me holding it's breath for seven months and while it felt wonderful to take a deep cleansing breath, I also could have crawled into some dark spot and sobbed like a baby.
It's funny, they never grow so old that you think of them as anything but your child, still, he is grown up with a wife and children. Honestly, I was so completely content knowing they had a hold of him, that it was quite enough.

Ceece told them they were going to pick up her BFF from Florida. She then said something happened and she didn't make her flight or whatever.  She told them to keep watching, maybe they'd know someone who got the plane.

Umm, wait I do know that soldier.

These pictures are priceless. They've missed that daddy so.

I know my kid though, and I suspected when I'd hear from him. Yep, first thing this morning. Would I make him a good egg?  My pleasure.  An egg?  Six eggs, over easy.  He got to lay his backpack down after seven months and pick up a six year old, who seems to have no plans of turning him loose anytime soon.

Happy Thanksgiving indeed!

Airport piks from Ceece's friend Tracy.