A short but sweet visit home

Editor’s note: As a special service for our readers, WND is running a series of dispatches from Allan Wall chronicling his transition from civilian life as he prepares to fight with his National Guard unit in Iraq. Allan will write for us as often as he is able in order to let our readers vicariously experience what people in his position are going through. We hope you will check regularly for Allan’s dispatches and encourage your friends and family to do likewise.

A vacation is appreciated, even if it’s only a few days.

Less than three weeks after my unit reported for deployment to Iraq, we were given a three-day vacation. It was an opportunity to leave Fort XYZ for a few days and visit family. Naturally, we accepted.

Since my family resides in Mexico, I had a long way to go. But my wife Lilia found a good flight to our home in Mexico and purchased the ticket.

After we were released, I got a ride to an international airport in the general vicinity of Fort XYZ. My flight didn’t depart until the following day, so I spent the night at the airport. The next day, I passed through the airport checkpoint, and for some reason was checked somewhat thoroughly. Once I was safely past the checkpoint, I awaited my flight.

I flew from the international airport to an airport in Mexico, where I changed planes and flew to the city in which I reside. The trip offered some interesting sights from its aerial vantage point, which I enjoyed as I looked out the windows. I also enjoyed the complementary peanuts and Coca-Cola.

Circling above the Mexican airport where I changed planes, I saw the mountain summits above the cloud cover – it was an impressive sight. Between the second and third airports I gazed below at the vast Mexican desert. Finally, I recognized a local landmark and I knew I was close the city in which I reside.

After the plane landed, I exited the plane and entered the building, where I was reunited with my family – my wife Lilia, and my sons David, 5, and Raphael, 2.

The visit with the family was short, but sweet. I was there for about 38 hours and that includes the time I was asleep. We spent time together at home. We ate at the home of my suegros (that’s Spanish for father-in-law and mother-in-law), and my mother-in-law fixed me a very good meal – just the way I like it. We went to a few malls and restaurants. And I read some Mother Goose to the boys.

Simple things, really, but the things that I miss the most in my present situation.

Very soon, this short visit reached its end. I left the house early in the morning. I bid farewell to Lilia and our two sleeping boys, and departed for Fort XYZ, to continue training for duty in Iraq.