My American Hero...

Well... I've had the intentions of writing this post for the past 6 weeks.  The problem is, it's a very emotional one and therefore very easy for me to keep putting off.  But, reality is here - my brother, whom I love so very, very much, is leaving soon for Afghanistan.  There - I.said.it.  Words that already sting my heart to say, or even write. 
I like to think that my brother and I are very close - not that we need to talk often or see each other all the time - it's different than that.  There is such a strong bond between the two of us from our "growing up" years.  Anyone who knows me well knows that my siblings and I are spread out in age.  Amy is 8 years older than I, Kara 5 years older and Nate is 6 years younger.  So... it was Nate and I in the household together for many years.  We happened to still be young when my parents divorced, so were together at home with my mom and during our visits to my dads.  It was always Nate and I.  The brother that I was so proud to be a big sister of and the brother that I still am proud to be a big sister of.  :)
Well... this year began with my brother heading to boot camp for the Army - he went to Fort Benning Georgia.  He successfully completed that in early May, was home a brief period of time and then left for Fort Polk Louisiana.  We knew that he would be getting deployed this fall and were blessed by a brief (as in pretty much one full day brief) visit from him on September 9, 2010 - it was an amazing day.  My entire family spent the day at my dad's, all together, to spend that day with Nate.  And, Hayden was able to meet her uncle for the first time - priceless.  So... that brings us to now - preparing to say our "see you laters" to him.  How do you do that?  I'm not exactly sure myself. 
But, if you go back to my first blog entry, it was about my Grandpa.  Amazingly enough, Nate got home from boot camp and was able to visit my Grandpa in the hospital in full uniform - I know that my Grandpa was proud of him and beaming inside :)  Nate was also granted a few extra days to be home for the funeral and was able to present the American Flag to my Grandma during the ceremony at Camp Ripley (sorry, I'm not too savvy with all of the proper terminology of this stuff) - an incredible honor that we were all able to watch him do.  The reason I mention this is because my Grandpa was stationed at Fort Polk Louisiana as well... it's as though it was meant to be.... and I know that my Grandpa will be watching over and keeping Nate safe!!
So, please keep my brother in your thoughts and prayers as he will be spending the next year protecting us and our country.  I don't really know what more to say, I'm not one to be speechless often, but this topic does that to me!  Again, I don't need to say much - I love my brother so much and admire what he does and he will continue to do for us - he's not only my brother, he's my American Hero!
I love you Nate!!!! 
Until I see you again.... See you later!