Colleen left the IZ three days ago, and this morning, for the first time, I wasn’t surprised by the sight of her empty bunk. The first couple of nights were pretty rough; I was very lonely and found that I couldn’t get the “Saying Goodbye” song from The Muppets Take Manhattan out of my head.

Colleen is embarking on a journey that, to me, makes her awfully courageous – she is walking away from a good corporate job to become a full time student again. Resurrecting a dream that she pushed aside ten years ago, she has entered an accelerated education program that will result in her becoming what she has always truly wanted to be: a nurse. I can’t think of a more honorable and desperately needed profession, and Colleen has all of the skills to do it well.

So I ask all of you, my family and friends, to keep Colleen in your thoughts and prayers as she makes this incredible transition. And selfishly, if you could pray for me a bit as I finish out my tour here, I would appreciate it as well. Despite the fact that I can now control the air conditioner, my little home away from home is not as warm and welcoming as it was when I shared it with “The Princess”.

Best of luck, Colleen, and we’re all very proud of you!!