You were my empty month.
You were my clear calendar page.
You were the month that I didn't know how I was going to get through.
Because all the other months?
They have plans.
Their calendar boxes have text in them.
Those other months have plane tickets bought and road trips scheduled.
They have holidays to celebrate, friends to visit, apartments to pack up & redecorating to do.
You, September, were the dangerous one.
The one where the weight of this deployment could have become too much.
But I think you knew that, September.
I think you realized the propensity I have to panic.
I think you knew I needed this month to buoy me through the remaining five.
It was a little messy for a few days, but you pulled it out.
You made sure we had glorious weather.
You brought with you a few new opportunities.
You encouraged new hobbies.
You stabilized Paul's internet connection and made video chats possible.
You tapped the shoulder of a friend and got her to come visit for a weekend.
Oh, September.
Not only did you get me through it,
you made it pretty enjoyable.
Thank you.
