Twittering and Somethingfromhome

I have joined the world of Twitter. Since I live in Canada and cell phone plans are outrageous I haven’t used my phone to “Tweet” but I spend alot of time at www.twitter.com. I have “met” some really great people and would like to think, forged some friendships. Like any other internet venture it is sometimes hard to tell. I know myself, and in doing so, I know that I can sometimes be a little more sarcastic that I normally would be, but that is half the fun. I can also flirt shamelessly, and again, knowing myself, I know the flirting is harmless but oh so much fun.

In addition to the friends I have made, I have also been able to garner some names for the Something From Home project. Thanks to twitter I have more names and have been sending packages to the Troops in Afghanistan on a constant basis. I am really grateful to all of those who have forwarded names to me – it makes my project feel all that more worthwhile. It is also a nice feeling to get a note from someone who has received a package. I sometimes wish I could send more in the boxes but I try to pack in as much as possible.

What I didn’t know was, the first round of packages that went over, went to Camp Mirage. Mirage is a Canadian outpost away from Kandahar Airfield. Dopey me didn’t catch on right away to the address so here I was sending Tim Horton’s cards away from the base where the Tim’s is located – ok so a blonde moment – what can I say. Hopefully anyone at Mirage had to return to KAF on their way home and were able to use their cards then. Their rotation is over and hopefully all are safe and sound back home and getting on with being back with family and friends. I still cannot imagine being that far away in that kind of situation without the people I love the most around me.

The project has grown – originally I sent packages to individuals and there are still some individual soldiers on the list. However, I also send “group packages”. The packages (usually 8 – 10 at a time) go to a soldier who in turn distributes to many others. I really like this concept and am in awe of how they all “share and share alike”. I suppose I shouldn’t be, the situation would dictate that kind of camaraderie and it actually makes my heart happy to see it. As of this weekend there are new names – even American troops via the Canadian troops.

If you have ever wondered what life in Afghanistan as a deployed soldier is, wonder no more. With his gracious permission, I am adding a link to a blog that is written by a deployed American soldier. Known as “Afghantim”, Tim blogs about daily life and happenings where he is. I really hope you will take a little time and check out his blog. It certainly opened my eyes and I really believe that anyone and everyone should see what it is that all troops are enduring on a daily basis. Tim has posted many many pictures given a visual to what he writes.  Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, I think it is not to be missed. You can access his blog here and  it will be added to my blogroll in the new Something fromhome section on the home page of Serendopeity. Thank you Tim, for allowing me to add you to my blog. It is my hope that you will get some more readers and in doing so more people will understand more fully what it is that the soldiers from around the globe are trying to accomplish.

I don’t ask for donations. I have some friends here who have generously donated items and their time and I truly appreciate it. Lifting the boxes can sometimes be painful for me and if not for the help I am not sure what I would do.

Canadian troops along with ALL their allies need our help. If you would like to help please contact me and I will let you know what you can do. It really is simple, takes little time and would make some awesome dedicated people smile, if only for a minute. I am committed to Something From Home. As most of you know I consider myself to be very, very lucky and have been given a second chance at life. Anything I can do for someone else is not only a pleasure it is also a privilege that I have been afforded.

If you are deployed and reading this, please know that you have many many people at home not only applauding what you do, but supporting your efforts and praying for your safe return. 

Thanks for reading and check out Tim’s blog.

Happy Fourth of July to all my American family, friends, readers and yes, even foes.

Be safe.

Nancy