Happy Birthday in Iraq

So the Bipolic is in Iraq. He left a tad over a month ago. Despite all the bullshit and mixed emotions...he's still over there. So, I sent him a package 10 days ago hoping he'd get it in time for his birthday tomorrow.

He did. Impressive!

He was happy and surprised to get it. Not sure he expected anything from anyone, much less me.

I got a free cheapo mp3 player for signing up for cable so I loaded some good music in there and threw it in. Along with that, a few magazines: Sports Illustrated, Maxim, Playboy, Baseball Digest (damn, I'm a good friend). A couple of Tom Clancy books, some batteries, a couple disposable cameras, a good supply of wetnaps, some Easy Mac and other add water meals, and tons of candy.

In his email, he was thankful. He said it was unexpected and appreciated.

He then updated me on getting his cast off since he broke his foot and how the cast is a pain due to the heat. He talked about some cool storms, that where he has to sleep isn't so bad and the sandstorms.

That's it. No complaining, no regrets, no wishing to come home tomorrow. No questioning his decision (he actually had a choice on whether he wanted to go) and no worries. He's doing his job, collecting his paycheck .... no questions.

In a recent email, I complained about how bad my job is getting. He told me not to worry, that I would find something that would fit me and to look on the bright side, it was a paycheck.

As simple as it seems, it's good advice. Especially coming from him.

So now I'm collecting for the next box to send in a few weeks. He doesn't ask for things so I try to imagine being out there and what would someone really want/need from home. That's the thing though, I can't really imagine.