Day 31 - August 1

I flew from Vermont on Thursday to spend the weekend with Jake and mom. It has been a wonderful visit that has given me much to think about.

Jake is making great progress, as mom has been reporting. He's alert, enjoyes getting out-and-about, and seems so much more himself than last time I was with him.

Mom and I have spent the last couple of nights at the Malone House. It is a great place, better than the Hilton. It is set up something like a suite with small fridge, microwave, computer, etc. Jake likes the Malone house so much that he wanted to figure a way to get out of the hospital today and over to the Malone. Hopefully, his semi-permanent move to the Malone will take place tomorrow when (if) he is discharged to out-patient.

The Malone House is a 10 minute walk from the hospital, a walk I don't mind because it is so beautiful and peaceful within the confines of the Walter Reed campus. There are trees that must be four or five feet in diameter, elegant historic buildings, a car or two moving ever so slowly, green grass, and a stillness in the air. It is quiet. It is an island of beauty surrounded by a difficult and stormy environment.

Jake visited again with his Leutenent who is now in the hospital. It was diffucult for Jake because the Lt had photos of Jake's vehicle after the blast. Jake described to us the photos and the wreckage caused by the blast. He saw the crater left in the ground where the bomb that tore apart his vehicle had been burried. He mulled over photos of the vehicle's inside, torn up and left in shambles. He thought of his buddies who rode with him in the car and how all their lives had changed in an instant. He told us of his memories, his feelings, and his heavy heart.

His spirits lifted when he discovered that another buddy from his unit arrived at the hospital and that he could see him tomorrow. He was happy to hear that his buddy was craddled within the safety of this place, that good people would tend to his needs, and that he could be visited by his friends.

As his friends arrive, I must leave again. I leave him in good hands, the best, my best friend, the angel God sent to watch over our little family. The war tears apart families all over the world. Whether it be the native people's of Afghanistan or the soldiers sent abroad. It tore me away from my son and now it tears me away from my best friend. I should not complain at the lot I've been given to bear for many, too many, families have paid a far greater price. I need only look around me to see how good people have been and continue to be torn apart by the ravages of war.