Summer's End

I am headed back to Kabul—sitting in a Dubai hotel, trying to shake off the cobwebs from a 13 hour flight, and girding for my time in captivity in Kabul, surrounded by walls, razor wires, and guards. So this is the end of summer—but instead of going back to school, I am going back to Kabul. Fair enough. But before we get started, let’s review the summer’s highlights:

• ·         Going back to Tyner to golf with my home town boys. Nice. Very comfortable. While I don’t see them much, I still feel most comfortable around the kids I grew up with. Good guys all.
  
• ·         Speaking of home towns, I had dinner with Judy Huffman. We grew up together in little old Tyner and I hadn’t seen here in over 25 years. She is a genuine nice person—which is confirmed by God, since she is now ordained. I am counting on her to be my liaison/advocate with the big fella when the time comes.
  
• ·         I spent some time at work in Burlington—you haven’t seen a Ben and Jerry’s line unless you have been to Burlington.
  
• ·         I did some ballgames. The Nats are as advertised—boy do they suck. Went to an O’s game—same comment. And went out to the Maryland Blue Crabs, an independent minor league team. At least they won.
  
• ·         Tried to protest at a Town Hall meeting objecting to the lack of rogaine coverage in the proposed health care bills. Then realized that since I live in DC, I don’t even have a representative. Argh.
  
• ·         Went to a Tony Bennett concert with my mom. Awesome.
  
• ·         Rode my bike around town, took in outdoor concerts, drank my share of Hefeweisen.
  
• ·         Spent the summer on the boat, drifting on the Potomac and yelling to the Zanzibar ‘turn up the base’ during their shows that vibrated my windows.
  
• ·         Got to hang out with my kids, and just enjoy their humor and spirit and love—an experience and feeling that I would trade for no other.
  

So all in all, a nice summer. But it is weird—while I was having a really good time, I always felt a bit guilty about not being in Afghanistan, as if I should be doing something. Well, now I am headed back, hoping to do something, and I feel a bit wistful over the life I am leaving behind. Go figure.