We Made It!

After five intense days on the road, Ali and I pulled into the Santa Fe Horse Park and up to my new house today. Despite still needing lots of furniture, it still has that cozy feel that a ranch house is supposed to have. We had dinner at my Dad's house courtesy of my step-mom, Marla, and hung out with my little brothers Alex and Alden, and my sister Audrey. Alex's school had a basketball game tonight and we showed up to support them, even though he wasn't playing due to a sprained ankle. With their star shooter on crutches instead of on the court, Desert Academy still beat Walatowa handily.

I know there is a lot that I will miss about DC, especially when Ali has to go back in a couple of days, but the thing I will miss the most is a place I will never be able to revisit: the original IVAW house. Our lease was up at the end of December and when it was time to move the operation to a new facility, I gave up my claim to a room to another Marine who I'm sure will make great use of it. The original house with all the charm that the hundreds of vets who passed through it imbued it with will never quite be replicated. The good times had and righteous work done there are what made it special.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the first IVAW house in DC a success. Your faith in we humble, broke, and often crazy veterans made it all possible. Thank you to everyone I visited along the way home. I can only hope to be able to return the favors and provide the same kind of hospitality here in Santa Fe. For you, my door is always open.