Another Day in the Backlot of Paradise

Plans are shaping up nicely for my trip to Chicago in September, for Will and Sara's wedding. I'll probably get my plane tickets today, and hotel ideas are in the works. I'm looking forward to it, because not only do I get to see all my friends from Chicago, most of whom I haven't seen since March, but I'll get to see Dan and Kim, whom I haven't seen since I moved. Yah!

In 2 weeks I'll go to California for what was supposed to be my first wedding of the summer. My cousin, Derek, whom I haven't seen since his first birthday, was supposed to be getting married. He's in the Marines, and has received firm confirmation that he's shipping out to Iraq on August 22. So, no wedding. He couldn't get the time off for it. He did ask for time to come up and see everyone, but we haven't heard yet whether or not that leave has been granted. If it's not, I hope we at least get to drive down to San Diego and see him, while we're there.

I have really mixed feelings about him going. We're not close; he's lived in California his whole life, and I've lived all over. But he's still my baby cousin. In fact, he's the only one of my cousins on that side of the family that I've met. Of my dad's siblings, his dad, my uncle, is the one I'm closest to, and like the most. I'm proud of my cousin, in a weird, distant way. And scared to death. That's not in a distant way. It's suddenly a much more personal war, when someone you know is in harm's way. Makes it more difficult when that person is someone I picture as either the tiny newborn I held when I was in second or third grade, or as the happy, giggly one-year old, at his birthday party a year later. That person isn't nearly old enough to be driving, let alone heading off to a bloody conflict that's already claimed a lot of people.

So Dad, Nathan, Kim and I will fly out in August. We'll get to see Don and Stace, Kim for the first time. She'll also get to meet Grammy and Aunt Beth. I haven't seen them since the last time we were in Fresno. I was in junior high school, I think. I'm looking forward to it.