Poisonous Nail

Recently I recollected an episode from childhood.

When I was little, maybe 4 or 5, I was chewing my nails and my mom and aunt Lu told me that I had to be very careful with his habit since we all have a poisonous nail. We all have one, and it varies from person to person, so it's better not to chew any in case you want to keep on living. 

That was the end on my habit. I simply stopped and forgot about the whole thing.

Then another day, something triggered the memory and I was baffled by it. 

I went my whole life not thinking about, but somewhere in the depths of my subconscious mind, I had the belief that we all have a poisonous nail. It took me about 35 years to bring that back and re-evaluate the facts. 

What else am I carrying around as "true fact", weighing me down along the process?

How many white little lies we just take it in?

Question the world kids. Question yourself, most of all. 

Thanks mom. I'll send you the therapy bill.  

Encyclopedia of Bugs

During the week prior my son's Airborne graduation, I kept catching myself making mental notes of things I needed to remind him before he left for his First Duty Station. When it became overwhelming, I decided to write the little reminders, and it wasn't any better.

I had to stop myself, take that deep breath everyone kept talking about; and trust that he did pay attention along the way. So then, I could concentrate on the really important things that I had to make sure he "got it" and we tend not to say it in many words. Thus this little project was born.

As anyone in the Army knows, plans change with minutes notice, and so did his travels to FDS. We had basically 2 days to get all his affairs in order. When I finished, I didn't have time to revise it or make the cover I wanted. You will see many errors, but I decided not the fix them after. The errors are part of the story. 

I see this as a very personal gift (especially on the title) from me to my son, but today I've decided to share with other Army Parents. I'm sure there are many out there feeling just like I did. Support your kid/partner.