Howdy From Texas!

Those of you who have been following this blog for any amount of time know that our Piglet ships out for Basic today.  Her strength and tenacity are truly inspiring for us all.  I will be popping in over the next few months whenever I get a chance to update everyone on both Pig and Monkey's status and while I am at it, maybe entertain you just a little. 

I met Kevin when I was 4 years old playing t-ball out in Irving and since then we have been much more than friends.  Kev is my brother...there is no other way to say it, no other words can describe our friendship. 

I was even with him when he ran into Amber that fateful Thanksgiving Day in Aggieland.  Since then, Amber has been added into the mix without missing a beat.  To say that they are perfect would be a lie, but to say that they are perfect together...well there's no more truth than that.  And to me, that is right where their amazingness begins.  You see, to protect this country and fight for the freedoms we all live with, they are giving up so much more than themselves.  They are giving up those things many of us hold most dear, precious times with loved ones.  All those lazy Sunday mornings, late nights on the couch, home-made dinners, road trips and long bike rides through the country...all these things are what they are giving up for you and for me.  To stand guard while we sleep safely. 

I don't mean to preach, but when I think about what my friends are doing, I get goosebumps and swear I hear Lee Greenwood off in the distance somewhere, singing softly.  As a Fightin' Texas Aggie (c/o '08) I have always had a deep appreciation for the military and what they do for us.  But I can honestly say that my friends have amplified this feeling inside me 1000%.  I am so proud to call them family. 

OK I am sure that Kevin would slug me in the arm right about now and tell me to quit being so sappy.

So in that spirit I will leave you with a final thought, one that will hopefully lead to me finding some sort of voice on this thing, because after all, I am a guest blogger!  We all want to do something amazing, something that has never been done before (at least I know I do).  We want to be remembered for something great.  But maybe true greatness lies in the effort.  Maybe we don't have to accomplish anything great to be remembered.  Maybe all we have to do is try.  Maybe, all that really matters, when our final tallies are added up, is that we dared greatly.  Because then, even if we fail, we're blessed with truth and not cursed with "what-ifs". 

Thanks and Gig'em
~Travis