Sunday, May 16, 2010

A Rough Week

Last week was really tough on my family. My oldest of four children enlisted in the Air Force. I dropped him off at the military processing center in Dallas on Monday. He's now attending basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. I'm happy that he's out there living his own life now but I can't believe how depressed I was. I've managed to snap out of it. My wife's pointed out some of the positive aspects of our son's departure. A bag of potato chips now lasts several days and we are definitely saving money on toilet paper and gasoline.

Anyway, I managed to sneak a ride this afternoon. Riding is great stress relief.

The section of the Trinity Trails that crosses under Rogers and University is now open. The trail used to dive rather steeply under these two roads. The grade has been reduced and sight distance has been increased.

Texas wildflowers. Unfortunately they won't be around much longer.



I couldn't tell if the shutter had gone off.

7 comments:

  1. I could use some of that stress relief.

    ...sigh...

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  2. He will be back and he will bring others. He may bring grief or he may bring joy or maybe, both. I have experienced all of it from crying to laughing out loud and I wouldn't want to have missed any of it.

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  3. Doohickie-I hear ya.

    Oldfool-"He will be back and he will bring others." That's a great way of looking at it. Thanks.

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  4. My youngest daughter joined the Coast Guard, and it was a pretty tough time for us. Basic training graduation was AMAZING! The whole Coastie experience was not enjoyable for her (although some parts were), but it was a great learning experience.

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  5. Pondero-I don't know how you handled that. I'm definitely not looking forward to my daughters leaving.

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  6. Sorry to hear you're having a hard time, but I'm glad you got out for a therapeutic ride ... there's nothing like it.

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  7. make sure you all write them lots of letters. or wait do they have email access?! maybe :D
    there is nothing better to stabilize the mind back to normal, if that means anything, than a bike ride. Many of my life's downturns I have gone totally crazy riding everywhere - and the world seems normal for those minutes.
    cheers xxo.m

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