In December of 2003, my life seemed bleak and dreary like the grey clouds of a winter sky. I had been activated to serve in Iraq on Valentine’s Day of 2003. I had spent Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving overseas away from my family that year. I had put in for a two-week leave that would put me home around Christmas but because of the total number of soldiers trying to go home during that time I withdrew my request so that others could see their family. There were male soldiers who had yet to meet their newborns and mothers with small children in my unit. I was glad to give someone else my slot yet at the same time I missed home. Staring at the sand day in and day out when I was used to seeing ice, snow and Christmas decorations at that time of year was depressing. My time in the sand made me appreciate those small things even more. A month away from the holiday I was injured. Not a life threatening injury like so many had received but it was serious enough to send me home. I called my family to let them know I was coming home and I could hear everyone’s shouts on the other end of the phone. It was the first time I cried since leaving home. Weeks passed and being kept in a tent knowing that I should be on a plane began to worry me. I felt my hopes being sucked down an invisible drain. With all the soldiers going home on leave, finding a seat on a plane for me to get home became a problem. Then one day I had a couple hours’ notice to pack my bags because I was leaving. I never felt so much joy and exhaustion all at once. I was beyond elated. I did not have time to call my family. My plane landed in Fort Dix, New Jersey and from there I switched over to another plane that landed two hours away from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. A military van from the base met me at the airport and drove me to the base where I had to come up with a ride home, which was another two and half hours away. A kind soldier who had nothing else to do drove me that long distance to make sure I made it home to see my family who was in total shock. I arrived gift wrapped in my desert camouflage and a huge smile on my face. My kid sister, my mother, father, aunts and uncles and everyone else happened to be home having dinner when I arrived. I kissed and hugged each one of them and held onto them for several minutes. You could have heard a mouse giggling because everyone was so quite. After everything settled down, I laid down for a much needed nap and woke up to see another sister of mine holding my new niece I had yet to meet. She drove over an hour late in the night to come see me. We all sat up and talked and had the best time ever. Then two days before Christmas I went shopping for gifts. My family had been having it rough and with me away not able to spend money I had some extra lying around so to speak. The shopping center did not know what to think when I came through with bags and bags of toys. I guess I was Mrs. Claus that year. Nevertheless, the struggle of not knowing if I was going home or when I was going home, trying to get home and facing the possibility of not seeing family over yet another holiday had me scarred and depressed. Then an injury that was not planned turned out to be my miracle for me and my family. It is amazing how something bad can later be seen as something good and bring about so much joy and happiness to one’s life. What inspired me to write this story is based on my actual life. I served in Iraq from February through part of December in 2003. I just wish more soldiers had made it home for the holidays. May God watch over those who cannot be home with their families during the holidays. Word Count 725 according to Word.