Anyone who was raised by my mother learned a lot of lessons, whether they knew it or not, about quiet strength. My siblings and I handle things in vastly different ways, but it is impossible to deny that we all picked up a good bit of Mom’s durability and resolve along the way. Four years ago [...]
Scout and I hopped in the car yesterday and drove on up to Illinois. My brother is back home for a few days before heading back to Iraq, so I figured it would be a good idea to come see him. Scout came along because I’m pretty sure Kecia would kill me if I didn’t [...]
Continue reading about Pete Visits Illinois, August 2009 Edition
Tomorrow my sisters get to town for a weekend of family bonding. They’ll have my freakin’ adorable niece in tow, which will be awesome. I’m really looking forward to seeing the three of them. This week has been odd. Getting used to going back to work, trying to get back on a sleep schedule, working on [...]
I absolutely love that it’s light out when I get home from work right now. Speaking of work, today was the first day on the job. More or less exactly what I expected, a little better in some spots. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about this at some point in the not-too-distant future. For now, [...]
I’ve always had a tremendous respect for our armed forces and this country’s amazing military. That respect was instilled in me by my father, a Marine who was wounded in Vietnam. The most serious of his injuries, however, weren’t inflicted by guns, bombs, or bayonets but by the hell and atrocity of war itself. He struggled [...]
I just received word that my father passed away yesterday. He was a great man who never fully recovered from the scars (physical or emotional) sustained in Vietnam, and he will be deeply missed. As one might expect, I’m taking a few days off. Please keep my family in your thoughts or prayers (if that’s your [...]