Almost Home

My time here in Iraq has nearly come to a close. Two months from now I will be on a plane bound for home, and to be honest it can't come soon enough. I miss everything about home. My wife, my family, my friends, seeing green things growing, heck even the strange old landlord. I have had my fill of dust, sand, smoke, and rockets for year to come. Iraq, I will be glad to never see you again.
It is strange now when I think of home and it feels so distant, like I have been gone for years. In a strange way it has begun to feel like home here. Everything is so familiar, that only when I focus I remember it has only been a temporary four month stay.
Not everything has been terrible about this place. I have met some really great people, been to a very different part of the world, accomplished a great deal of reading, and had many quiet moments to sit and reflect. In addition, I have started taking courses toward my teaching degree again, which I am very proud of. So I can at least say some good has come of my little vacation.
Still I will be overjoyed to see you all again once I am home.
I'll try not to cry but no guarantees, I am pretty squishy.