Sorry to break this story up into two parts, but I really felt that they each need to stand on their own.
We were really thankful to have all of the grandkids home for Alan's dad's service. The travelers were my nephew and his lovely wife, who made the trip up from NC and Colin was able to get a few days of bereavement leave to be there. It was great to see everyone and have the whole clan together, even under the circumstances.
While he was home, Colin was able to fill us in on a potential problem that he was experiencing medically. It was enough of a concern that when he returned to the yard, he headed to medical to get it checked out. Although the issue is not at all serious - trying to protect his privacy here ;) - he was informed that he would need surgery (which is usually only less than 30% effective) or be medically disqualified from serving in any capacity other than "restricted line" (military for desk-job). After doing his homework he made the very difficult decision to leave the academy.
Yep. There goes another "sure thing". But we truly believe he made the right decision. A 70% chance of sitting at a desk for 5 years after graduation are not odds you would want to take, not for someone like him anyway. After 3 weeks of exit interviews, he is now home and surprisingly doing ok. He feels good that things turned out well. He was praised for his work by unexpected places in the upper classes. He knows he would have been very successful. He knows he is missed. And he knows that when one door closes, another opens.
He has the wheels in motion to return to the University of Alabama for the spring semester. He really expected a nightmare of red tape to return, and get his full academic scholarship re-instated. But when he contacted them, he found out he was still active. Never left. No red tape. Scholarship there and waiting. Provision. God knew his season at the academy would be brief, and He had it all covered.
2 comments:
Oh Donna, I can only imagine how disappointed Colin must be, especially after surviving plebe week. But what a testimony to his upbringing that he can rest peacefully in God's will and that he looks to the future with great expectation. I'll have him ~ and all of you ~ in prayer as he adjusts to a semester at home.
What a blessing though that he'll be around to bond with Andrew when he first comes home!
WOW. I can only imagine the up and down emotional roller coaster you're on...you're a great example of faith for all of us. I'm thankful to be in the footsteps of so many loving wonderful friends (family) from our first adoption!
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