Scott,

When I was overseas for a year, I spent a lot of time following this forum when I had down time. There were a number of times, quite a few in fact, that I thought if everyone had to spend a year away from their wife and kids, away from wrestling, baseball, soccer, band concerts, birthdays, anniversaries, the holidays, etc., that they would really learn to appreciate what they have at home. We all get a little too absorbed in the little things, many which we can not control, and forget about the special things that we have when we are able to spend time with family and friends.

I look back at the toughest time I had when I was gone. My son was spending the night with a friend and teammate in Olathe so that he could travel down to a tournament with his family the next day. I got an email from his friend's mom saying that my son woke up around midnight and started to cry. He told her that he wished his dad was home. You talk about tears, that was the only time that I had them rolling down my face the whole year I was away. I have really learned to value and enjoy the time I have with my family.