Dear Gabe,

I wish you could have been with us today.  We visited Memorial Park.  It was so beautiful there today.  Its been very hot lately, but even the sun seemed to be paying its respects.  I said a prayer for your friends who are no longer with us.  I also said a prayer for those who are recovering, and those still in Iraq.  The memorials there represent so many lives that were lost in the service of our country.  I wish the list of names would stop growing, right now... for ever.

I guess it will be hard saying goodbye to your son again and getting on the plane tomorrow.  I should know, I seem to be saying 'goodbye' to my son pretty often here lately.  Can't wait to see you tomorrow.  There's just a few days left before you have to return to your mission.  Hey, I have an idea, why don't you finish your mission early so you can come back home early? 

Yeah, I know... it doesn't work that way.  Well, at least you're already past the hump and on the downward slope.  It won't be too long before you'll get to come back for good.  In the meantime, I'll settle for tomorrow.

Have a good flight.

Love you always,

Mom~