Dear Mugwa,
This is the ninth time in my life that I have seen family and friends shipping out of the USA for overseas military duty, from Korea to Kosovo and everything in between. It doesn't get easier with time. You hope and pray for their safe return and try, as best as possible, to lead a normal life, even though nothing is normal, as we knew it.

Finding an outlet for your feelings, such as through your poems, will help some. Hoefully, the thought that you friend is in the thoughts and prayers of others will also help.

I have been very fortunate, in that my family and friends all returned from their duties. I will pray that you and your friend will be re-united when his duty ends and he returns safely.

Robby