Another Hello

Time rushes by so fast. It is almost frightening. I know I'm older and so it seems faster to me, but I am leaving yet another assignment. I'm trying not to look at it as another good-by3 but another hello. I get a few days at home but I've been called to fill a position for which circumstances have left vacant. It is a repairative assignment. No matter where I go, there are people there and pretty much we're all a lot alike. Take every good chance for another "hello." Like tonight when you get home from work, like tomorrow when you visit with friends, like business associates that we all seem to take for granted. To the people at Moody Air Force Base I say, "Let's not say good-bye, but I'll see you later." To the people in Texas I will meet soon, "Hello, Ya'll, I'm..." Dr. D.

The Good News or the Bad News

It is funny how good news and bad news can sometimes be the same thing. Oh, good news you're doing a great job; bad news you have to move to a new city. Oh, good news your kids are graduating from high school; bad news they are going away to college. Oh, good news it's a sunny day, bad news you work indoors. You see. The other way is true too. Bad news it's gonna rain today, good news the flowers will bloom. Bad news you've had to be away awhile (like seven weeks?), good news is someone back home loves you and there is a reunion coming. Bad news you have to work, good news you are helping people even if only the company, the customers, or the people you work with. The question might be which do you see? The good news or the bad news? It does make a difference. Dr. D.

Missing in Action - Prisoners of War

This is a photo of a reserved dining table at the Moody Air Force Base Dining Facility called the Georgia Pines. What is it? It is a formally dressed table that is reserved for those airmen who are Missing in Action and Prisoners of War. I was so struck by it I had to pass it on to you. These airmen eat every meal with the expectation that their missing comrades will one day return to eat with them. Their table is waiting. Dr. D.

Making an Adjustment

Is there something in life that doesn't take an adjustment? I've talked with airmen, low ranking and officers, who are having difficulty adjusting. Some to marriage, some to the military environment, some to medical conditions. Well, I have one to make also. I'm leaving this assignment at Moody Air Force Base next week. I was to have 8 days at home then go to Ft Bragg which is near home. A calamity elsewhere caused my employer to ask me to leave home sooner and go to another air force base in TEXAS! Go figure? So I have an adjustment to make. Less time at home; moving to another time zone; and no chance of getting home during the assignment AND I have to help out in a problem situation. So, is there something in life that doesn't take an adjustment? I think not. Fortunately for me, I have plenty of experience and I have confidence in my Lord who is with me in every situation. So, I can sit back and relax because I am certain to be able to manage successfully. I believe that about you, too. Regardless of what is happening, you are built to endure and thrive. Dr. D.

Relational Disconnecting

As I get to the close of this assignment I begin to understand again what it is like to connect and disconnect and reconnect in one's relationships. It is not a simple task. It reminds me that things happen in a family, in a marriage, that causes folks to disconnect, among siblings, between parents, between parents and kids. They are in the same house, doing much the same things they do all the time, but it is obvious to everyone that they have disconnected. The real challenge comes in trying to reconnect. It almost seems more difficult than the gradual disconnecting that already happened. Yet, in order for a family, a marriage, well, shoot, a person to thrive, that reconnecting must take place. If ya can't seem to find a way to do that, sit with the person you wish to reconnect to and simply say "I can't seem to find a way back to you. Let's try to do that together." It is not reconnecting, but it is recognizing that sometimes reconnecting is much more difficult than the disconnecting. Make it happen. Dr. D.

Easter Miracle

Today I spent some time with airmen and their families at Easter services in the Moody AFB Chapel. Airmen, well, military folks in general, remind me always of Easter. They are knocked down but always seem to thrive. They suffer, but always seem to remain confident. They are often separated from the ones they love, but their love stays strong. These things have Easter written all over them. Think of the ways you have thrived in hard times and you'll notice Easter living in you, too. Happy Easter. Dr. D.

Miltary Blessings

After nearly four months of working intently with military folks, their families, and those who support them, I am again overwhelmed by how dedicated they are. Time does not matter, lack of sleep does not matter, being hungry does not matter, the mission matters. Even for those who support our military folks, they will let nothing get in the way of delivering their support to the folks who need it. Applaud them, please. Heroes is an over used word, but dedicated, hardworking, committed folks they are and are due honor. Sometimes they thank me, but I always return that thanks with greater thanks. Moody Air Force Base is a marvelous place, even though at least one third of them are deployed and in harms way. Folks hold their breaths praying that everyone returns home safely. Sadly they don't all. But every one of them should have our appreciation for it takes a special kind of person to do this work. I've met a whole lot of them. Dr. D.