Happy Birthday Dags!

Today is my big brothers birthday - the only thing is he is celebrating it without his family and half way around the world, in Iraq. He's been posted there for 6 months after leaving earlier this month. He gave us a call the night before he left, which I thought was pretty special, but then when the phone rang on Sunday night, the last person I expected to say hello on the other end, was my big brother Darren. Now I felt like an A lister!!
The line was amazingly clear, with just the slightest delay, he could have been calling from next door. He sounded really good and even though he is away from his family quite often with his job, he has never been quite this far away from everyone and he just seemed a little homesick to me. He said it's very hot - about 43c at the moment but with summer not too far away, the temperature will go beyond 50c. That will be something to look forward to.
Speaking with some of the guys that are getting ready to come home, they've said that their time over there has gone really quickly and I'm sure the same will be for Darren as well. Once he's done over there, he'll go back home to his family in Ocean Grove, pack up their things and head back up here, for their last posting. I'm pretty sure Darren will seriously consider retiring from the Army to live a little less regimented lifestyle. Not that I'm sure he will know how to do that after being a soldier since he was 15! I'm sure he'll catch on to civilian life quickly enough, he's a pretty resourceful bloke. Needless to say, I'm very proud of my big brother, I think of him often and pray for his safe return to us at the end of the year.
Happy birthday Dags!!

Celebrating Darren's love of music

(click on image for larger view)