My Rebuttal

In response to M's last post:

This is not a political blog. It is not journalistic reporting. It is not tips & tricks for Wow, game reviews, or how to make gold in MMORPGs. It is not how to be a better dungeon master. It is not how to knit fabulous socks. Not literary criticism or book reviews. It is not marriage advice. Not therapy. Not harrowing tales from the front lines. These things are not the focus of this blog, though it can be about any of those things at any given time.

This blog is about the things we carry - in our luggage, purse, wallet, mind and heart. It is the answer to the question "Hi, honey. How was your day?" when we cannot walk through the door and ask. We made it public as a way for our friends to find out how we are doing as well. This blog is about long days at work, dust storms, power outages, dirty dishes in the sink, and what we do to try to maintain a sence of normalcy and connection. Will the focus shift when he returns? Perhaps. He might start a blog just about WOW. I may start one about Nooby DMing or knitting, or teaching, or how much his mother drives me crazy. We may continue this patchwork of our everyday lives. Who knows, someday one of us might do something noteworthy and people will flock to this site as proof we are human and think about stupid things like everyone else.

I would rather he post dumb things and come home with both legs. He is not ducking shells and patching up bloodied comrades with gum and duct tape. That does not make his experience any less valid - any less his. Danger is omnipresent for an American anywhere in that country. They call it "the theater," and he is a stage hand. He might not be in the front making everyone cry but the actors just look like silly people without the proper lighting, sets, props, and sound. He is playing his role over there, just like anyone else. He answered the call of his country.

I'm proud of him. And I miss him.