HOME

So after 1 year and 1 day the time had finally arrived for Clifford to come HOME. I woke up early and very anxious. I got out of bed and jumped on the elliptical to run and burn off some nervous energy. After we all got ready we headed out the door.

It was early and there wasn't much traffic on the road but as we were driving towards the interstate we saw police cars blocking the intersection. It was obviously too early to be a funeral. Then we got closer and we saw that behind the police cars was a group of bikers escorting two buses. Buses filled with soldiers leaving Ft. Gordon. And then there was the long line of cars behind the buses.

My stomach jumped to my throat and I got teary eyed. What are the odds that we would see this on the way to pick up our soldier? We were in that line a year ago crying because we were watching our soldier leave. I felt for those soldiers and their families. I never knew what to say to people who were surviving a deployment before...now that I've been through one and had to wake up everyday wondering if my brother was safe...well, I still don't know what to say. Everyone has to deal with it in their own way. And no matter how much you tell someone not to worry and that it will pass by quicker than you think...it still feels like forever. At least it did to me. But now that it's over and he's been back for a month (you guys know that I run at least a month behind on this blog) I wonder where that year went. When you're not living it anymore it seems like it passed a little faster.

We were some of the first people there. And when we were directed to the parking lot we saw Jeanna's car right away. It was awesome! 

We got inside the gym and it felt like we waited FOREVER!  We got there a little before nine because the ceremony was suppose to start at ten.  Turns out that info was wrong...it didn't start until eleven.  It's hard to wait when you know it's so close to being over but waiting an extra hour just felt brutal.
 

My Uncle David, Aunt Cheryl, and my cousins Sydney and Emily made some great signs to make sure Clifford saw us.

Ivy spent that two hours going from person to person entertaining us.  She was patient and behaved well which made things a little easier.  Although she did ask me to take her to the bathroom every 15 minutes. And then every five minutes she kept asking if Uncle Cliff was here yet and when I responded with a "no" she would say "well where him at?"

So like I said we anxiously waited...

...and waited...

...and waited....

...and then they played American Soldier by Toby Keith and had almost everyone crying!  Notice I say "almost" everyone because country songs don't make me cry...just roll my eyes.  And then all of sudden when the song quit playing they were marching in.  That place erupted!  We were screaming and jumping and crying!  We had perfect seats thanks to Jeanna and Allie!

And then he was there.  Marching and looking for us.

 And when he saw us...his smile was priceless.  He was happy.

They all marched in and lined up for the ceremony.  198 soldiers total.  They left with 200.  The total number of purple hearts given was twenty-three.  The total number of bronze stars given was twenty and Clifford received an army commendation medal.

 The ceremony was about five minutes long and then someone yelled...1221st You are DISMISSED!  That place erupted and everyone ran as fast as they could for their soldier.

We didn't hang around long.  Clifford was READY-TO-GO!  Not that I blame him.

We posed for a few pictures outside since it was so crowded inside.
 

And then for old times sake when I had my back turned, Cliffy thought it would be funny to put his sweaty hat on me.  It was soggy and stinky and gross!  I really don't want to know what that hat has touched the past year...but I'm a good sport.

And then we left..and it was OVER!

WELCOME HOME CLIFFORD!