November has set in and so has the grey days. The light is even and softly drapes itself around the world. The morning frost has set hard, painting everything that was brown in a white layer. Muting the autumn colors and creating a serene tableau.  We wander down this path once again, taking in how the season has changed it. The plants have curled in upon themselves and the summer birds have fled. It's quiet and the river gently ripples, whispering as it moves. The cars rushing along slowly fades as we make our way to the spot where the river bends, the sand bar pokes out of the water and the large cottonwood tree stands.The eagles have returned to the river as the salmon make their way upstream. Each time we come to this spot, I look. Most days I can see one eagle watching this spot of the river. today it's two and so I know it will soon be time to go eagle watching.

Our last conversation for five or more weeks was one sided.
"Hello, this is Job Parks. Please let me talk and do not interrupt period. I made it safe to Cape May period I will contact you after five weeks as to my graduation date period I will not have access to my phone so do not call." and he hung up. It was scripted and we only said hello.  It was shocking even though we knew that it was going to be this way. And yes, he did say period after the end of every single sentence.  Once he hung up, we sat there for a minute a bit in shock and then nervously laughed. I guess we will see you on the other side of boot camp.  Hang in there buddy.