Leaving Des Moines....September 10th

3:30pm, Wednesday, September 10th – The Des Moines airport terminal. Well, I’ve said my goodbyes and cried my eyes out. I can’t believe there are any more tears in my head, but alas, they are coming right now. It is very hard to say good bye to family and friends…I know, I’m coming back soon, but it’s still hard. Right now I’m sitting here pondering what a small thing my travel is compared to the military people I saw embrace their family before going through security today. I’m going on a completely SAFE adventure…they are not. I was humbled watching them and knowing they are risking their life to make life safer for me. I feel as though, in some small way, I know what they are feeling as they say their goodbyes.