The Greatest Loss...

With my third deployment looming just a few days away, it's only natural that all these random thoughts referencing life start to surface. I'm definitely mentally and emotionally prepared for this deployment, as that is what multiple deployments help with. I'm sure it's different with Soldiers who are married and/or have children, but I am single and so it is a bit easier for me to cope with some things.

I'm not sitting here going through the 'What ifs' in my head -- I know much better than to do that. You don't have to endure a deployment for those types of thoughts to flood your head. What's going through my head is the fact that there are everyday life events that will be going on while I am gone; not that I will miss experiencing them -- which, I will -- but I'm referring to the not so enjoyable moments in which I can't be the friend that was there. Don't get me wrong, I will do my very best to be there with my friends in essence, be it through the internet or the phone. But not being able to be the shoulder for my friends, not being able to be there for a friend -- especially my best friends -- is something that just eats away inside of me and drives me a tad bit crazy.

What I'm getting at here is that I am going to try to do my very best to keep in touch with all of you (Myspace, Facebook and Email friends) but I know that I won't be able to do as great a job out there. And yes, I KNOW people understand, so we won't go through that argument.

Ok, let's cut through the chase. One of my favorite quotes is, "The farthest distance between two friends is time." Unfortunately, I don't know who said it. However, the first time I ever heard this line it stuck with me. I quote it on a regular basis because it has a way to ring absolutely true no matter what angle you look at it. What I'm getting at is that to my friends -- especially the handful who I am fortunate enough to call best friends -- I hope we don't let time push us apart.

I've loss many things in my life that I held near and dear to my heart. But my greatest loss was always a friend.

I think this post was a bit all over the place, but it'll do fine ;)