Impromptu herf reminds me why

[icantbejon]

So my deployment has lasted just at 12 months now. That is a long time. My fellow deployed brothers can attest to that. Well, last night we sat through a very late meeting which left myself and a group of others fairly well stressed out. Tensions have been high recently as we begin planning for heading home, trying to keep our area secure, and making sure our Soldiers are taken care of. In any case, we came out of the meeting and I was talking to a fellow good buddy and company commander who I don't see much since he took command. He was staying on our FOB last night, so I asked him if he was up for a smoke.

It seemed like a bomb went off at our battalion HQ. The whole staff came flocking into the room, bright eyed and bushy tailed, which that haven't been in a long time. So I drove back to my building, grabbed my pelicanidor and brought it back to the HQ. Before I knew what happened, I had about 12 people lined up for a smoke. I opened up my pelicanidor for all. We went outside and lit up. We had a great two hour sit down over smokes and just winded down. It was one of those great times when people, without saying it, agree to let work stay in the building and just relax and crack jokes. It was great to see all my friends step back for a while and relax, especially knowing that today when they woke up the cycle starts again and the stress is back.

It was a great night and it reminded me of why I do enjoy smoking so much. I love to sit out in the afternoon and enjoy a smoke by myself. But more importantly, I love the smokes with groups of friends, or just my wife, where everything slows down and life is good....even if it is just for a night and today the stress of the world is back on my shoulders.