This is for…

The stories of troops returning home and surprising their loved ones moves me to tears each time. There’s nothing like the sight of a child asking for nothing but to have their mother or father home from the war. Then seeing their surprise as their parent comes out, pops out or drops their disguise…it’s a moment that sticks with you, always.

But this is for the troops that cannot come home. This is for the child whose wish could not come true because the travails of king and country trump the heartfelt wish of a child.

This is for the troops who will not come home again. This is for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and leave their families wishing, for the rest of their lives, that they would come home.

This is for the open spot at the dinner table, temporarily or permanently vacant.

This is for picture of that loved one in uniform. It’s the one the relatives visit and speak to. It’s the one the kids sleep with at night. It’s the one family chokes back tears over.

It’s times like this that I’m humbled at my position. I’m home, with my family, seated at the dinner table, hugging my wife and kids. And you know what? If it were in my power, I’d trade places. I’d give 24 hours just so that troop could grant that child’s wish, could hug their kids and family. I’d give a day so that troop could visit their relatives again. Hell, I’d gladly sit at death’s door so that valiant troop could be home again, if but for a moment in time.

I don’t say these things so you can think better of me. For its who I am. Somewhere, so many are sacrificing so much so that we can sleep better at night. Both here and abroad, from the top of the snowy Afghan mountains to the mean streets in our own backyard; from the belly of the raging fire to the chaos of the ER; from the twilight of the dusty southern border to the jungles of South America, someone is sacrificing much so that others can have their reunion.

This is for you, my brothers and sisters. Wherever you are in the world and in the one to come, know you are remembered, prayed for, hoped for. Most of all know that you are…

Loved.

Welcome Back, My Old Friend

Rediscovering my talent and love of writing. Was reading some old posts, blog entries and columns this evening and was asking myself why I stopped writing. It’s one of those things. I ebb. I flow. I drift. One minute I’m so sure, the next I waver. Life is like that for me. It was time to dust off the ol’ memory box, discover what is inside. For me, what I discovered was the spark that re-ignited the flames of prose creation.

Enjoy this journey with me, will you? = )

The Best Work In All Weather

Good day at the range today. Was first time in a good while I got to shake out my weapons and gear in adverse conditions. As I often tell shooters, the best way to know if your guns and gear will work is to beat on them in rain, cold and such. Things break in fair weather and you can fix ‘em. The real question is what do you do when your weapon, optics, ammo or gear malfunctions in adverse conditions. That’s when you meet Murphy up close and personal. I’ll be making some changes as a result of some lessons learned today. Change is good. Learning to change and making it happen? Even better.

One month to NC Recon. Looking forward to a great adventure.

Alive and Kicking

My friends, it’s been awhile. Life intervened, taking away from my writing. For that, I apologize. But past is past and so begins my writing again. A lot to update, but no need to do it all here. Keep your eyes open over the next few weeks. The Gator is swimming again. = )

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a happy belated Thanksgiving. Day started with 4-mile run, visit with family, a light dinner and some football. Couldn’t ask for a better day.

God’s best to my brothers downrange. Gator Six remains on point.

Ah, there’s nothing like…

Reading a book to your son and One On The Way. It’s a simple pleasure, and they both enjoyed it so much the first time that I was asked to read it again. Kids, both born and unborn, are amazing.

The Price of Having Kids

Went on a baby stock recon this Saturday. I did not realize baby things had become so expensive. I commented to the missus that this must be a racket, a true mob conspiracy. Why should they charge such outrageous prices for the simplest of baby needs: diapers, strollers, cribs. C’mon…

I’m glad we kept a lot of things from when the kids were born. Albeit aged, we bought things would would stay in style, were unisex and universal. That’ll make putting together the little girls’ room a simple task.

But I guess I’ll have to burn some stock if I’m gonna get the missus that rocking chair.

Back in the Saddle

Getting back into writing mode again. It’s been a busy time in the household. Working on something. Much more to tell later.

The 30th Bound for the Sandbox

April 14th. Afternoon. Gray skies dominate the day as I peer out the window of my home office. The chatter of colleagues fills my headset. Another conference call. Blah, blah, blah…

The television is filled with soldiers.

I mute the line and turn up the volume on the tube. The commanding general of the 30th Brigade Combat Team is announced. Reflexively, I snap to attention.

“Why did I do that?” I ask.

I move to stand at ease and listen to his impassioned words. The 30th BCT, my old unit, is headed downrange again. Headed back to the sandbox for another tour in Iraq.

I’m proud of them, all of them. There are friends still there, too. And as they are bid farewell by a fellow soldier singing “God Bless the USA,” I can’t help but tear up. These are my boys, and in heart, mind and spirit, I, too, go with them.

I look to my hand and my brigade patch sits. “How did that get there?” I ask myself. And as the faint smell of Diesel and Kordite fills my nostrils, I snapped back to my reality, my present of conference call boredom.

But the moment, as are all my military remembrances, was precious.

God speed, soldiers of the 30th. Gator Six stands watch until you return. HUAH!

Funny How God Works

May 11, 1991.

I hear the words and repeat them. My stomach twists and turns faster than a roller coaster. I know I’m sweating. I’m nervous, excited. Is this what happens when a dream comes true? I ask myself. “So help me God,” erupts from me in cracked voice. My dream is realized and the mantle of leadership is given me. I receive my first salute as Second Lieutenant from a mentor, an Army Special Forces Master Sergeant. My first coin? A gift from yet another mentor, and old Ranger Command Sergeant Major with 18th Airborne Corps. My first wisdom after hugs and well wishes from mom and dad? It came from my yet another mentor, then a Ranger Captain who told me in simple words, “Mac, don’t f**k up.”

I look at my gold bar on my hat, then turn my gaze skyward and whisper, “funny how God works.”

February 27, 2009.

I accepted my new challenge: Partner Business Manager, Service Provider Channel. My mission: lead our engagement with two global service providers: AT&T and Verizon. My stomach turns flips again, my head sweats and the words resonate deep within me. “We’re asking Mike McPherson to lead this effort for the organization.” I’m nervous, excited, scared, focused. Congratulations and well wishes stream in via phone and email. The day is done and I am spent from the emotional roller coaster. My wife hugs me, tells me she knew my time would come even when I didn’t think it would ever happen here. I call my mom, dad and brother and tell them the news. Dad’s excited. “You always said you’d make me proud, son,” he says. Mom gives God the glory. My brother tells me, “Mike, don’t f***k it up.”

I lay my head on the pillow and just before I welcome sleep, I whisper a silent prayer of thanks. “Funny how God works,” trail from my lips as sleep greets me.

My life in many ways has paralleled biblical story of Joseph. In many ways, in every case, every tribulation has emerged a seed of greater benefit. And in this most recent promotion, I find the path that is my life yet again changed for the better. I reflect on the journey that was my rise to leadership in the US Army. The hard work, the focus, the determination. The days in scouting and ROTC. The lessons learned, each preparing me for the mantle of leadership. Like Joseph, there were times I sat in the wilderness, wondering why I was doing this, why this was happening. There were days I wanted to quit, just walk away and try something new. Yet something, someone, kept me in place, preparing me for that day. And in this moment as I reflect on the challenge bestowed upon me, I see the path traveled to get here. The challenges faced and accomplished. There were days I wanted to leave, simply move on and make my way in greener pasture. Yet something, someone, kept me here, prepared me for this moment. I shake my head, not in shame, but in thanks for the unseen and Divine hand that has guided my life.

Now I prepare myself for the new chapter that is happening. I believe I am ready. My stomach flips. I’m nervous, excited, focused.

Thankful.

Yes, it’s funny…and wonderful…how God works.