Hello to all
I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the length of time between this post and my last. As many of you may or may not know, there was no wireless access while I was in the sunny state of Cailfornia. That seems to be the theme of this little project doesn’t it? Well i thought I should take the time to jot a few notes before I head out on this “grand adventure”. As I write to you all today, I am relaxing on the bed at home. I am in the last 2 days of home time before I fly back to Ontario and then eventually off to Afghnistan. I spent a great evening with friends last night at a pot-luck supper. It was done as a farewell and come home safe get together for me. It was very nice to see them all for the last time before I depart.
I am hoping to drop into the school this week to see the students and staff for the last time too before I set off. There are several people who I want to see before I go and many students who I also wish to speak to before my flight.
I began this project back in September under the advice of Mr Coffin at Morell High School and have, to date, done as best I could in keeping it updated (given the circumstances). The lack of internet in various lacations has not aided me in this endevour though. I do not know yet how easy or difficult it will be to maintain this page while I am away for 6/7 months, but I promise that I will do the best that I can. I know that there are students and friends who are following this page with interest and hoping for some knew news from time to time and it is not my intent to dissapoint them. There are also tudents in Mr Coffins Global Issues Class who are reading this as part of their classwork who cannot be left in the lurch for information. I will do my bet for all of you.
I spoke to a class at Colonel Gray on Friday afternoon and there were some great questions from the student. One asked if I was scared of what I about to embark upon. The truthful answer is both a yes and a no. To say I am scared is not really the truth though. I am anxious to begin this after about 9 months of training. I am also fully aware of the risks, as is every other person who I am going over with. I have been fully aware of the risk since I put my name in to do this. My biggest fear, as I told the class at the Gray,was that I would leave my family; never to see, hold or speak to them again. I suppose this is a fear that we all share and that we must all deal with in our own way.
I will miss you all as I will miss all of my family and friends. I would ask that you keep me and my friends in your thoughts from time to time. We are doing what we have been asked to do on the behalf of the people of Afghanistan. I would hope that if something horrible were happening here, that someone else would care enough to intervene and to assist. To those who may disagree with what I am doing, I would only ask that you keep those in harms way in your thoughts and prayers. You may not agree with the mission as set out by the Canadian Government, but the soldiers there deserve your support and your support means a great deal to all of us. That is my rant for now. I don’t really know if it is what you wanted to read, but it is what I needed to say before I go.
If I don’t get the chance to drop into the school to say my farewells then I would ask that you accept them now and that you take care of each other always.
”To play a wrong note in inconsequential, to play without passion is inexcuseable”. Beethoven As in music, so in life.
Work hard, have fun, take a risk and make a difference in all you do. Be an example to all those with whom you come into contact.
Mr D
