[MACHOBUCK]

I'm coming home for four days this Thursday, it's been over four years since I have been home. In that time I have joined the Army, served 7 months in Afgahanistan, had two more children with my wife (we now have three) and am so far from that person that left my home province that I sometimes do not even know myself anymore.

So I'm going home, not my wife or kids...just me. Four days. In four days I hope to some how find myself again...to find the boy I once was to be the man I need to be today. Am I hoping for to much ??? I'm not sure.

For four days I am not going to be a soldier, a husband, a father...I'll be the 'hero' son returned home, the loving brother there for his kid sister who is now 28. I am going home to a different world then the world I live in...I'm going home.

When my parents call me a hero...I almost laugh/cry...I am a soldier and have done a soldiers duty. Hero. Will they see the hurt behind my eyes or the death I wonder...I hope not.

So I am coming home and I can't wait, to be a son to my two hero's...my Mom and Dad.

Anyone care to share a story about themselves coming home after a long time ...

[DeathNTaxes]

This smells like a work. But b/c it's Mayberry I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Sounds like you've lost a piece of yourself. You're not going to get it back the experiences that you've gone through I can't even imagine and neither can your family or your closest loved ones because they haven't gone through war. My advice is to not try to be who you once were but to move ahead put the war and fighting behind you as best as you can. Understand that you have changed and will need to adjust to that take some time with some close friends/a physcologist/counselor to really understand yourself after the intense experiences you have had and readjust to civilian life. It's not going to happen in four days and it's not going to necessarily be fantastic dealing with your family/loved ones again. You have to take on an even greater burden of understanding their lack of perspective. Be strong and your Mayberry brothers are here for you. Good Luck!