Our son, Zack, arrived back in Iraq July 21. We had a great time with him and every moment was a treasure to cherish. We laughed a lot, took hundreds of photos and enjoyed each other’s company.

One of the great things was being able to share him with other family members who live far away. As I mentioned in another column, we recently discovered Skype, the free computer program that allows phone calls over the Internet to other computers. With a webcam, there is the added benefit of actually seeing who you are talking to.

My parents live in California so it was impossible for them to visit Zack during his leave. However, thanks to Skype and webcams, they not only were able to talk to him, they were able to see him. And, because my parents also have a webcam, Zack was able to see them, as well. It truly is like talking to them face-to-face. It added a whole new dimension to simply hearing a voice.

I love technology and I’m especially grateful for it during these times. Thanks to the Internet, cell phones and text messaging, everyone is able to keep in close touch. This technology also makes Zack seem so much closer than Iraq.

I don’t send handwritten letters because we communicate often with MySpace or email. We also share photos and instant message.

Last week, when we took Zack to the Portland Jet Port for his return trip, Kathy, a woman working at the Delta ticket counter, proved to be the most kind and compassionate person I have met in a long time. She not only issued us gate passes to allow us to see Zack off at the gate, she provided five-star customer service all the way around.

After Zack walked down the ramp to the plane, he turned one last time to wave to us as he stepped onto the plane. We all stood at the huge plate glass windows, our noses smooshed against it. Tears poured down my face, of course. I just wanted one last hug, one last “I love you. Be safe.”

Kathy found us standing at the windows.

“I saved him a couple of seats up front,” she said. “The captain announced him and he received a round of applause. He’s a little teary-eyed, but he’s OK.”

We found out later he gave up those seats to someone he thought was more deserving.

We waited to watch his plane take off and Kathy waited with us. She even stepped up on the windowsill to peer over the other planes parked at the gates. Apparently his plane took off in the other direction and we missed it. Kathy used her walkie-talkie to call other workers to confirm it.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “But, I’ve heard it’s good luck to not see their plane take off.”

She hugged me and said seeing families say goodbye like this was the hardest part of her job. She also hugged Chelsea and shook hands with my other son, Nick, and my husband, Jim. I was so impressed with her, I wrote Delta a letter and told them how wonderful Kathy was.

On his way to Iraq, Zack sent us text messages. He let us know where he was almost every step of the way. Some of his texts were short and sweet – “I love you.”

Thanks to technology, when he landed in Kuwait, he left a bulletin on MySpace that read, “Though I’m back in Iraq, I can’t and won’t forget the memories, love, and the feeling of those around me. When I come home again, I can’t wait to be around family, friends, and others who make me so happy. I never thought I’d say it, but I truly miss Maine – the cool temperatures, family, friends, and fishing. To those who made my time home more pleasurable and to those I hold so dear in my heart, thank you. The wait to see you all again feels so far away, yet so close.”

– Renee Worthing