Reunited and it feels so good.
In the sweltering Florida heat, two buses brought back one unit of very brave and beyond tired soldiers to their loved ones. Soldiers who have served, sacrificed, and survived their dedicated mission of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Soldiers who made a difference. Soldiers who were loved and who will be missed in that far away land. Soldiers who will never be the same. Soldiers who gave of themselves with every breath they took and with every beat of their heart. Soldiers who left their America with their brand new ambitious boots and returned with ones worn and priceless in their walk of heroism. Soldiers who now own the copyright to their stories: chapters that will surely include paragraphs of hope, despair, dedication, courage, fear, longing, perseverance, survival - along with a heaven and hell that we will not know of and that only belongs to them. All soon to be released in THEIR time. Maybe not on Amazon, but released .......
IN THEIR TIME.
So many hugs and tears not captured with my lens but captured in our hearts as we all were finally reunited. Shawn has many who love him - including YOU - and he is so thankful. His heart, which is bigger than the universe, knows this.
Thank you ALL.
He brought Marley's blue bandana with him to Afghanistan. He promised Marley that he would bring it back to him.
And he did.
And Summer Lynn is now in love.
We are all so emotionally exhausted but so happy.
God Bless America. God Bless You.
May all who serve always come home.
xo
AMEN....
um, I think Miss Maggie missed him too.
Thank you Kim for sharing all of this with us... you didn't have to, but you did and it makes us all understand a little bit better.
He's home and he's safe and we thank him and hold all the others in the light till it's their turn.
so happy :) :) :) xxx
xxx
Posted by: M | 08/19/2013 at 10:43 AM
Thank you, Shawn.
Posted by: Donna T. | 08/19/2013 at 10:45 AM
I am SO happy for you and your family. Thank The Lord for his safe return...now you can breathe again <3
Posted by: Delaine Gabriel | 08/19/2013 at 11:13 AM
Why did I read this at work? I can't see thru the tears. I am so happy for all of you. Tell Shawn thank you for us. Safe & sound back with his mama. Love to you all.
Posted by: Lori | 08/19/2013 at 11:24 AM
Dear Kim:
Thank you for sharing such wonderful moments of Shawn's homecoming. It brings tears to my eyes. Tell Shawn, thank you for keeping us safe and so glad that he is home safe and sound! The story about Marley's bandanna was very touching. I hope or I know, you and your family are so glad to be back together again. Enjoy, Enjoy!
xoxoxo,
Renie
Posted by: Renie Cee | 08/19/2013 at 11:25 AM
Your post made me cry. I'm so happy your son is home. I know your granddaughter is so happy to see her daddy. Happy for all those famililes who have been reunited. Wonderful pictures.
Posted by: Renee | 08/19/2013 at 11:42 AM
Such happy tears! So thankful he is home safe and sound along with all the others. Give him my thanks, please.
Posted by: Sandy | 08/19/2013 at 12:11 PM
tears of joy and happiness.
shawn you are ho!me sweet home.
and thank you .
reuniting with your family and marley - how wonderful.
enjoy your time at home - I know your mamas so happy!
and that makes me happy too!
hugs - linda
Posted by: linda | 08/19/2013 at 12:15 PM
I'm so happy for your family, Kim!
When you have a free moment...please post a photo...or two of Shawn and his Mama reuniting ;-)
Xoxo
Suzy
Posted by: Suzy Miller | 08/19/2013 at 12:18 PM
I am crying tears of joy! Thank you Shawn. Thank you Kim for sharing.
Posted by: Judy | 08/19/2013 at 12:41 PM
Oh, I cried....for you.....for Shawn....he's home!!!
Posted by: Susan | 08/19/2013 at 01:04 PM
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you Kim for giving so freely of yourself and sharing these wonderful pictures. Just by looking I know everyone was excited especially Marley, Maggie, and Bentley. :-)
Posted by: Lynn | 08/19/2013 at 01:09 PM
{{{{KIM}}}} I haven't been on here in so long. Last night as I was counting my blessings, I thought of you and I thought of your boy and wished for his safe return. I am so happy for you and your family! My heart is overflowing with joy. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being you.
{{{HUGS}}} {{{HUGS}}} and more {{{HUGS}}}
xxxx
Tonette
Posted by: Tonette | 08/19/2013 at 01:51 PM
((((YOU))))
whether you have been here in word or spirit...
i know you are here.
i cannot thank you enough.
((((HUGS)))) TIMES A MILLION.
always,
me
Posted by: Kim | 08/19/2013 at 02:06 PM
Kim,
I am so happy for you and your family!! I am thankful to Shawn for his service to our country.
Blessings,
Amy Jo
Posted by: Amy Jo | 08/19/2013 at 02:15 PM
Kim, Many thanks to your son and your entire family for the sacrifices you have all made. I am so thankful Shawn arrived home safely, to his loving family. Your pictures made me cry and feel an overwhelming thankfulness to all of the families who serve our countries. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful homecoming. Peace and love to your family. Shannon
Posted by: Shannon LInde | 08/19/2013 at 02:59 PM
Oh, Kim!!! All I needed was that one word: "reunited" and I began praising God! And smiling. We won't stop praying for Shawn and the healing days ahead. I am SO happy for all of you! Thank you and Shawn for giving...
Posted by: Beth K. | 08/19/2013 at 03:00 PM
WELCOME HOME SHAWN!
Posted by: Jeri | 08/19/2013 at 03:05 PM
So glad your Shawn is back home safely.
Love,
~Sheri
Posted by: Red Rose Alley | 08/19/2013 at 03:39 PM
Welcome Home Shawn!!! Just Beautiful Kim!! trying to type through very happy tears!!
Reunited indeed!!! xox :)
Posted by: Trish | 08/19/2013 at 05:33 PM
I am crying happy tears, too - thank you, Shawn, for serving - and thank you Kim for including us in this VERY special event in your family's life!!! So happy for all of you - including the puppy dogs!!
Posted by: Pauline | 08/19/2013 at 07:39 PM
My heart knows your JOY! Praise the Lord for Shawn's safe return home!
Lots of love from Texas,
Donna
Posted by: Donna Bradley | 08/19/2013 at 08:25 PM
BEAUTIFUL, Kim! Welcome home Shawn!!! Thank you, Shawn, for your service....so thankful you are home with your family! I can only imagine how happy you and your family are because I know your Mom's blog friends are extremely happy for your safe return. Loved the pictures with Marley and bringing his bandana home for him to wear once again. Kim, I am so thrilled for you. Enjoy your "boy" being home safe and sound!! Many hugs for all of you!
Posted by: Becky from Tennessee | 08/19/2013 at 09:16 PM
welcome home!!!
Posted by: donna meeker | 08/19/2013 at 09:18 PM
It doesn’t get any better than this, Kim. We all have much to be grateful for.
Posted by: Lynn Day | 08/19/2013 at 10:17 PM
Welcome home Shawn and a big thank you for helping to keep us safe! The pictures are wonderful....priceless. I especially love those of Shawn and his Marley :-)
Posted by: Judy L. | 08/20/2013 at 01:54 AM
This post put a lump in my throat. I have followed along and have felt your pain in your words and even in your pictures as you have missed your son. Thank you for sharing his welcome home and for providing pictures so we can all rejoice in his return. WELCOME HOME SHAWN...and THANK YOU for serving our country and protecting us.
~ Lisa from Indiana ~
Posted by: Lisa | 08/20/2013 at 07:45 AM
I sit with tears in my eyes. I'm so happy he has come home to you all. What a wonderful day that was!! The best of everything to you all.
Posted by: Jo | 08/20/2013 at 07:55 AM
So happy for all of you that he is home. I know you are all so proud of him - what a fine young man you have raised. I loved the pictures - especially the way Summer Lynn was looking at Shawn.
Posted by: Jenny L. | 08/20/2013 at 08:41 AM
Tears are in my eyes. So happy he's home and safe.
God bless you all.
Posted by: jennifer | 08/20/2013 at 09:02 AM
Daisy Cottage just got a little more brighter! The love and happiness flowing through it right now just has to make it shine. So happy for all of you being together again!
Posted by: Daniel | 08/20/2013 at 09:18 AM
So many tears of joy and thankgiving for you Kim..... Your Son & Soldier has come back home!!What joy for you and your family.. I am sitting here laughing and then crying and then laughing and then... well you know!!! Blessings.. Blessings.. Blessings!!!! Terri (Thank you Shawn for serving our nation.. for your willingness to go!! ) Terri
Posted by: Terri | 08/20/2013 at 10:13 AM
Kim,
Absolutely breath-taking photos and emotions.
Thank you,Shawn. Welcome home. - Joanie in Michigan
Posted by: Joanie | 08/20/2013 at 11:54 AM
Beautiful. I am thankful that the Lord brought him safely home to all who love him.
Posted by: Deidra | 08/20/2013 at 07:55 PM
Tears are in my eyes and my heart is full. I loved all the photos of Shawn but the one with Marley broke me up. I am so thankful Shawn is home safe and sound. Your pictures shows us what is in everyone's heart. Thanks for sharing these precious moments with all of us.
(((((((((((Kim))))))))))))
Hugs,
Connie
Posted by: Connie | 08/20/2013 at 08:07 PM
Such beautiful pictures. I'm so happy your family is reunited. Thank you Shawn for your service.
Posted by: Kim | 08/21/2013 at 06:42 AM
You've captured such emotions of joy, I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Words can't express how happy I am for you and your family. Welcome home, Shawn, and thank you for your service.
Posted by: G from Ga | 08/21/2013 at 11:36 AM
I just saw this post Kim and wanted to let you know how much your photos and beautiful words touched me. Thank your brave and heroic son for me and mine. Warm hugs and counted blessings, Patty
Posted by: Patty Marker | 08/21/2013 at 10:23 PM
So happy that Shawn came home safely! Seeing Summer Lynn look at him was just precious. And seeing Shawn greet Marley and the other pups ... well, beyond precious!!!! Very, very happy for you and your family!
Posted by: MJ Smith | 08/22/2013 at 12:15 AM
I'm late with my welcome home and thnk you to Shawn..now it's difficult to type through the tears...thank dear soldier for your brave service and for representing the U.S.A.
Big hugs
Posted by: Sarita | 08/22/2013 at 08:51 AM
Praise the Lord. Shawn is home. Tears also running down my cheeks because I can only imagine the thankfulness you have in your heart. Cherish every moment and thanks for sharing the pictures. Mom, your son is home!
Posted by: Mary | 08/22/2013 at 09:18 AM
Pure joy!
Thanks for sharing your happiness with us!!
Wonderfulphotos!!
I love the ones of Shawn & Summer Lynn...such a sweet, quizzical look on her face. My favorite though, is the "oval" photo of Shawn. He looks simply content and oh, so happy!!
Enjoy life!!
Posted by: Marie | 08/22/2013 at 01:31 PM
Tears but so happy for you all! Many prayers that wonderful young man. So glad he is home!
Posted by: Peggy Williams | 08/22/2013 at 05:54 PM
Kim, the picture from your son and his dog is so beautiful that I put in my page on Facebook. It gave me hope and I hope you dont't mind.
Posted by: Cristina Del Nero | 08/23/2013 at 06:24 PM
Dear Cristina,
I would never mind and I am so touched that you wanted to share. And we all need hope - how loving of you..... Thank you so much.
Love always,
Kim
Posted by: Kim | 08/23/2013 at 08:33 PM
So glad he is home safe and sound!! Enjoy your time together....it is so precious. Thank you Shawn for doing what only you do best! You are special man!
Posted by: Debbie from Texas | 08/23/2013 at 09:07 PM
How did I miss this post? (I'm not happy with the substitute I use for 'Google Reader.")
So GLAD I found this post and that the day finally came for you to post of Shawn's arrival HOME. What JOY for all of you. Thankful for his safe arrival home and for his service to our country. Blessings.
Posted by: Sally | 08/23/2013 at 10:37 PM
SO glad I came upon this. I have been watching...I knew last October that August return was mentioned. Praise to the Lord Shawn is home. God bless him. I was at my middle son's Marine Boot graduation at Parris Island last week, and then his wedding so I missed this post. Prayers have gone up for Shawn, here in this nest. My first son, (also a Marine) has deployed 3 times and done an Afghanistan tour. It is hard mama...hard!! You are a warrior yourself now. My third son is now at Basic in the ARMY!!! GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!! HOOAH Shawn. Thank you. You are a hero. Stay strong all of you. cheers and tears here from a military mom. Thank you for all the pics. We get the doggie part too. we have three, and the drama is just as high with them. :-) :-) Military reunions are indescribable. <3
Posted by: Julie | 08/25/2013 at 02:21 PM
thank you ALL so so much for all of your comments and love and support above. i pray you know how much you mean to me.
((((julie)))))
thank you and your soldiers from the bottom of my heart.
love,
me
Posted by: Kim | 08/25/2013 at 02:58 PM
I have been waiting on this moment along with you. I am SO happy you have your boy home! :)
Posted by: Rachael S. | 08/26/2013 at 08:00 AM
Kim - I do come in and take a look now and then and I am SOOOO happy to know about Shawn. I saw a dog food commercial they other day with a dog licking his soldier's face and thought of Shawn and Marley right away! So happy for all of you!
Posted by: Susan Goffman | 08/28/2013 at 12:22 PM
Thank you for sharing Shawn's homecoming with all of us. I loved all your photos,but have to say Shawn and Marley -- well -- extra special! Nothing like man and his dog ... or dog and his man!
oxox
Posted by: Snap | 09/12/2013 at 07:00 PM
OMG.... I haven't checked your blog for awhile. I didn't know Shawn was home!
Sweet sweet pics. Marley looks so proud getting his bandana put back on by Shawn.
Thanx for serving our Country Shawn.
xo
Posted by: Reenie | 09/16/2013 at 04:27 PM
What an incredible blessing Kim!! I'm so glad to see that your son is home and all is well. Very happy for your family and the dogs. :)
Posted by: Stacey | 09/17/2013 at 06:46 PM
Oh Mama Kim, What joy has filled your big heart. Thank you Shawn for all you and all who serve have done in the name of peace and goodness. Welcome home!
Posted by: Nancy Maisenbach | 09/17/2013 at 10:12 PM