Today, while sitting in a hotel lobby in Chicago, I received a text message on my iPhone from Barrett.  It still boggles my mind that I can have a chat with my son ... from Iraq to the Windy City.  But ... there I sat ... thumb-punching my conversation into cyberspace. 

                Technological marvels notwithstanding, I was sucker-punched by his pronouncement today.  In cryptic text message lingo, Bear told me he’s decided to stay in Iraq through December to support the transition team.  The additional pay was more than he could resist ... and he rather enjoys his current assignment. 

                But that’s not all.  He further explained that the transition team would likely spend a few months in Afghanistan ... to help get things rollin’ for the U.S. Marine Corps. 

                He assuaged my disappointment by explaining that he’d gotten permission to come home for Tyler’s wedding in June ... and be in California for two weeks before returning to Iraq.  But still ... I sat there in a stupor ... woefully disappointed with the news. 

                And then the punch line.  “Dad.  Look at your calendar.  What day is it?  Gotcha.” 

                I can’t tell you what I wrote back to him ... because it’s not fitting for a father to speak to he son in those terms.  However ... he’s a Marine ... and he can handle it. 

                I’m the April fool.