Life on a Chain and greetings from my wife in the middle East

2 years ago by Jeff Woods | March 3, 2010 9:46 am

Waiting over here, for life to begin,
Still looking for the new thing,
And you were the sunshine heading my front-line,
I was alone, you were just around the corner from me

Pete Yorn ‘Life on a Chain’

As that song came up on shuffle on my home stereo this morning, I opened my email to another letter from my wife Lori, who has been writing from Afghanistan, where she’s been directing a show tour for Canadian Troops.   Suddenly those lyrics, I’d heard a hundred times before, had a whole new meaning.

Now the letter, which Lori not only writes for me, but to you as well, followed by a video of that song.

March 3/10

We just spent the past two days in Kabul where we were all out of touch with the outside world.  No phone, no internet.

Kabul brought it all together for me and helped me to understand what was really happening in Afghanistan.

The base in Kabul is basically headquarters and its the NATO base.  Lots of high ranking officers from a lot of different countries.

I’ve never been somewhere so multi-national. 

In Kandahar soldiers would describe the beauty of Afghanistan, something we never got to really see living inside the wire there.

In Kabul you could actually see it within the wire.  Nothing could block out the awesome view of the mountains that divide Afghanistan from Pakistan.

 We put on another amazing performance in Kabul (comedian Nikki Payne was on FIRE at this one!) and according to the officers we spoke with this morning it was unanimous that we beat the other two show tours that had recently passed through (not that there was any competition – The British and The Germans ;) ,  so another win for Canada!

 I’m proud of the shows we’ve done and the support (and distraction if only for one night) we’ve provided to the soldiers fighting in this very misunderstood war.

 All that being said I am ECSTATIC to be out of Afghanistan and homeward bound. 

 It is difficult to be away from home.   I realize that I’ve been living very much the auto-pilot version of me.   It’s really tough to get attached to anything because everything on a military base is constantly changing, according to constantly changing priorities.  The ONLY thing you can be sure of is meal time, which like all touring bands know, is a real beacon in your day. 

As the tour director, the talent has looked to me for ‘when are we doing this, or that’, and I’ve come to realize that the only accurate answer is ‘when it happens’ because everything we do is (pardon the pun) a bit of a moving target.

We are now in the middle east where we’ll be doing our final show this evening, to make up for one that was cancelled (I mentioned a couple letters ago that the show here, on the way to Afghanistan, was cancelled because a dignitary in the ‘sheikdom’ had passed and there was to  be 3 days of mourning and no excessive noise or celebrations).

Tomorrow Germany and finally home to Canada.  There’s no drinking in the military for obvious reasons so our lay-over in Germany should be interesting after 9 days of military-style sobriety.

 I never intended for my letters to become blog postings but I’ve come to really enjoy it and more than anything the amazing comments of support from the readers.  While I was there supporting the soldiers you were here supporting me and it helped me get through the trip… so thank you.

 I think I’m going to be a bit of a mess when I get home.   I’ve been burying lots of feelings that I’m pretty sure are going to surface when I touch down in Canada.

 I can’t wait to see you and Kaper, this weekend!!!! Ha!

Love you.

Lori,

xoxox

 

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add a comment 12 Comments
  • debbie m/over 25yrlistner
    March 3, 2010 at 10:16 am

    Hi Jeff.
    Hit the key so fast…
    As I was saying Lori has touched my heart with her words and first hand experience of what is going on over there.I do agree “what is war good for” rings for me always.
    I trust she returns to you very soon and that I believe her that when she does return things heard, seen experienced may hit her mentally all at once.. But alas she will be home and in peaceful surroundings
    cheers

    (Reply)
  • Lisa
    March 3, 2010 at 10:32 am

    What an amazing gift your wife Lori has to be able to see the beauty within all the chaos.

    (Reply)
  • Lola
    March 3, 2010 at 10:41 am

    Lori,
    Thanks so much for sharing – as much as you have enjoyed writing these blogs, I have enjoyed reading them. My brother is in the Canadian Navy and just got back from Haiti. His emails home really meant alot – you can’t imagine. Safe home!

    (Reply)
  • Lori's parents
    March 3, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    Lori, we are amazed and extremely proud of you!!! Thank you for your blogs and keeping everyone involved in your experiences on this voyage (not a trip!). You have become what we could ever dream of in a child (now a woman). Thank you. Mom and Dad

    (Reply)
  • Lori
    March 3, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    I truly admire what you are doing over there Lori. I think that our troops need to be told over and over again just how much we appreciate them and how they keep us all safe. Thank you for doing that for the rest of us. Usually I really hate it when someone has the same name as me and when they spell it the same it really make me crazy but I have to say that this time I am very proud to share my name with you. Be safe and come home to Jeff soon.

    (Reply)
  • Liz
    March 3, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    Unbelievable, Lori. I want you to know that I’m lining up for your autograph when you get home. What an unbelievable experience you have been through! Jeff, thanks for being a gracious conduit of Lori’s experiences and words. I will be relieved when you are both tucked in down the road together.

    (Reply)
  • marion
    March 3, 2010 at 6:05 pm

    Another great letter Lori! What a perfect song for sure, Jeff. I’m excited for you both to see each other this weekend. Safe return girl!!!

    peace out

    (Reply)
  • Mexdale
    March 4, 2010 at 4:07 am

    Lori there is a Gold medal waiting for you.THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU.From Sarge and Mexdale and Sgt.Grace.You are a very special person.Top Shelf for sure.Your fan. Mexdale

    (Reply)
  • Elaine
    March 4, 2010 at 7:45 am

    thanks for sharing–

    (Reply)
  • johnny d
    March 4, 2010 at 10:04 am

    Just wanted to thank Lori#1 for bringing a small sense of what’s doing over there, albeit at times misunderstood, into our lives. And I agree with Lori#2 regarding the work that the military has to do. I wish that there would be no military. But I support the women and men over there, if not all the reasons to be there. And RED is such a great colour. I wear it proudly every Friday to show some support!

    (Reply)
  • Emily
    March 4, 2010 at 2:24 pm

    That’s GREAT! :) It’s very heartening to hear what Lori has been doing for our troops in Afghanistan. You must be so proud. She sounds like she has brought much “sunshine” to the troops. I hope that she is safely home soon.
    Thanks for sharing this Jeff & Lori.

    (Reply)
  • Lorna
    March 4, 2010 at 4:24 pm

    Very beautiful and very moving! Thank you for sharing these very personal messages with us. What an life altering experience for you both! I look forward to hearing the many stories of your adventure. I wish you a safe arrival back home! Jeff will be waiting with OPEN ARMS!!!

    (Reply)

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