Sweet and Sour Friday

Nope, it's not Cantonese Cuisine Night at the DFAC, but rather the conflicting emotions that come when deployed so far away from family and friends. While life here is going very well, and the feeling that I am actually accomplishing things that will make a (small) difference in this conflict is pretty uplifting, it's mixed with profound sadness. A good friend, Glenn M., passed away yesterday after a sudden but brief illness. He was proud of the fact that he and Mickey Mouse were the same age, and was one of the most genuinely decent people I've ever had the privilege to know. Glenn used to go on ride-alongs with me when I was a street cop, and was a pure joy to have in the passenger seat because he always had such a great time, even when it was a quiet shift.
Vaya Con Dios, my friend...I will miss you.