When Friendships Blossom

Have you ever wondered what word can be used to define a relationship that has grown beyond the boundaries of a friendship?  Does it feel weird that you would ALWAYS count on that one person or group of people regardless of the curve balls life throws at you?
One thing I absolutely admire about the Marine Corps is its brotherhood.  The Bible speaks about the greatest action of love being shown by laying our life down for our brother/friend.  It amazes me to know that most people who commit to the military do so with the understanding they are laying their lives down for the citizens of this country, and each other.  My husband always talks about not being afraid to take a bullet for a brother (another Marine).  But would we, the civilians, do that for a friend?      

I can honestly say growing up I took pride in friends that are not to be found in my life today.  Granted we all went our own ways after high school, there really wasn't any strong foundations in our friendship that held us together as time and distance kept us away.  Today, I have more solid relationships in my life.  Friends that keep it real, and are "smack to the back of the head" honest with me when needed.  I would do anything and everything I can to be there for them, as they would for me. Yet from time to time I wonder if I would take a bullet for them (lay my life down for them).

By my definition, when "friendship" blossom...it becomes "family".  My husband and I learned the hard way that "family" is not just reserved for blood relations.  And the perfect example of that in our life today is my husband's friend and fellow Marine whom he affectionately calls "big Brother".  I call him "baldy" or "Pooh Bear" to annoy him, but that is beside the point here. For the purpose of this blog, I'm going to refer to him as Pooh Bear.

The best way to describe Pooh Bear is this - he is the nicer and more patient version of my husband.  The Marine Corps is their very existence and their purpose in life.  They are both super motivated, extremely dedicated Marines who will, without a doubt, take a bullet for each other at war, and off the field.  Their brotherhood is like none I have seen before. In their silence they hear and understand each others deepest pains and craziest thoughts. Pooh Bear became more than just another Marine during one of their deployments together. And since then, he's become more than just a friend...and now our brother. He's family.

Pooh has proven to my husband that with one phone call he would open up his home for my husband and his sister. He helps me understand where my husband is coming from by explaining the marine mindset about certain things/situations in life. Just the past year of being married, Pooh Bear has driven 10 - 14hours to spend a few days with us at least four or five times already.  That's more than our own relatives have done for us.  The friendship my husband and Pooh have has kept them both strong, and sane both in Iraq and on the home front.  The friendship him and I have has helped me appreciate my role as a Marine Wife, and be prepared for the unexpected bumps and turns in our journey.

My husband and I know we can count on our Pooh Bear any day for anything.  And we would drop our packs in a heart beat for him as well.  He's one of the few in my life that I, as a civilian, would consider taking a bullet for me because no matter what, he'll always be our big brother. 

I probably have digressed a little here, but here's the question I have for you.  What would you call a relationship that has blossomed beyond the limits of a friendship? And would you have to think twice about laying down your life for a friend or would it be for "family"?

Mrs. Sgt. P.

Love you much Pooh Bear.  With you by our side, Tigger (my husband), Piglet (me) and Eeyore (my brother) can always take on the world!!

Behind every successful Man...

Today is the NYC Marine Corp Birthday Ball which will take place on the Intrepid. My marine was requested by the Commandant of the Marine Corps (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commandant_of_the_Marine_Corps) to be a part of his detail at this Ball.  Can you believe that?!?!?!?!  Of all the Marines in NY state, mine got hand picked (amongst others, of course) by General Conway...the highest ranking official in the Corp.  To boot, the President will be attending too!!!!  WOAH!!!!

Instances like these are a reminder to me that my husband is right where God wants him to be - he's on a career path to success.  I am pretty sure every wife has to deal with the expectations/changes that come along with their husband's career growth and choices.  I must do everything I can to keep up with his career and represent him well to the best of my ability. =)

My husband and I decided long time ago that we would do everything to support each other's career choices.  Coming from a culture where women are expected to be home and take care of the family,  I am blessed to be married to someone who wants me to have a career and not just a job.

Wives (girlfriends/fiancees), I encourage you to motivate your man to be ALL that he can be in his career and life.  Be the wife that supports and motivates, and not the kind that refuses him from succeeding.  After all, who they are and what they become will indirectly reflect on us as well. =)

Behind every successful man, there's an even more successful woman cheering him on.
(Men, if you have got a woman like that....consider yourself lucky and dont mess it up!!!)

Mrs. Sgt. P.
(Sorry Babes. I know this is a big day for you, but I just made it about me. =))

One of Life's toughest Lessons....

I got this in an email and simply had to share.  I've got no words to explain it or a picture to add to it.  But if there's one thing life has taught me....its just this...


There comes a point in your life when you realize: 
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.


I encourage you not to dwell in the past. Pick yourself up and quickly move on by simply finding strength in the fact that God's always watching, and always is a step ahead of us.  He will provide as and when we are in need.  I can vouch for that...




Mrs. Sgt. P.

Energize your Battery

Yesterday was a busy,but fun filled day.  I went back to my old job to hang out with my friends.  These are women that I did not directly work with, but in the short two years I was there they became my family.  It was a lot of fun to catch up over lunch and just be around them.  Brought back a lot of feelings of peace, security, warmth and love.  It was like being home again. We picked up right where we left off.  Everyone is moving on in life, but its so easy to meet up for a half hour, share notes and laugh at the smallest things.  I love them!

I quickly visited another friend of mine and her daughter prior to lunch.  It was a really short visit (as I was running late), but it was a lot of fun too.  Its crazy to see how the teenager is growing up so fast.  Her ideas, her enthusiasm for music and love for life is really inspiring.  Its always fun to watch kids grow up.

Speaking of kids, I also got to visit my three little girls on the way back home.  We had plans of hanging out at the mall but they all got sick so we just chilled at home.  My babies (teenagers and a preteen) are all growing up.  It fascinates me to see how their thoughts/perspectives change with every passing day.  Their personalities evolve with each year that goes by.  It's amazing and scary at the same time.  Being around them, reminded me of the conversation my marine and I always have about being positive role models to the next generation.

Spending time with the people I love (regardless of age) always reminds me how blessed I am in life. God has provided me with an awesome support system.  People that do not judge me for who I am, but rather love me no matter what I say or do.  I feel more confident about myself when I am around them.  They energize me, and keep me going.

I encourage you today to take some time out of your busyness to hang out with the people that you love, or the people that encourage you to be your best.  They are a source of strength from God to keep you going and going and going....

Mrs. Sgt. P.

A Moment in Time...

11/02/2009

Today is a day for the history books - USS New York comes to NYC to be commissioned.

Mr. Opportunity (from the previous blog), had an amazing idea of getting my husband  and another Marine (he asked that I refer to him as the Mexican Sensation) to help him photograph the ship as she was making her way to Pier 88.
The ship would be photographed from both sides of the Hudson River, and once in the ship they were going to have the Captain of the ship do a mock Oath Ceremony with the Poolees.  The day was going to be fabulous!!
My husband was going to take the pictures from Battery Park and Pier 88, while Mr. Opportunity and the "Mexican Sensation" were located on the Jersey banks of the Hudson.

They say the ship is the first of its kind.  Not only is it the fastest battle ship, it can also hold massive vehicles in the inside, and a few helicopters on the outside.  But I will always remember it for its bow, which is made from steel of the World Trade Center.  And the 21 gun salute from aboard the ship as it passed Ground Zero.
What better place to bring the ship to for its commissioning.  What better way to honor the victims of 9/11 and their families.  What better way to show the world, we (America) will move on stronger and mightier, while holding onto (not forgetting) our past.

We were on the FDR trying to get from Battery Park to the Chelsea Pier when we saw the ship sailing right by us.  Granted there was traffic, but even as we were flying by it felt like the ship was still moving faster than we were.  Craziness!!   This ship is NOOOOOO JOKE!!
Like any other day in our lives, there were lots of "are you freakin' serious?" moments through out the day.  We were given security clearance to get on top of the building to take pictures of the ship as she pulled into the dock.  First we had to explain to a few Marines on site why we were there, who gave us clearance to be there, and why my husband was not in uniform.  Then we were stopped by Port Authority officials who were wondering how "civilians" got up there and were taking "lots of" pictures of the ship and the surroundings.  Once the ship was docked, we went downstairs to look for Mr. Opportunity and gang who,were waiting outside, for clearance to come in so we can proceed with the mock Oaths.
At this point the Navy reservists who were assigned to guard the front gate wanted to know how we got clearance to get in, and why we were there.  It did not seem to matter that we are already inside. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, they decided to kick us out since our names weren't on the Press list.  Sad!!  They did not care for the fact that we were not the press and we were cleared by Albany and the Gunny onsite to be on board the ship.  Finally, they (Mr. Opportunity and gang) talked to some high ranking official of the Navy and got in while my Marine, myself and the two poolees with us had to pack up and leave.
So, for us, the morning excitement died after that incident as we could not get on board of the ship.  I guess we will just have to take pride in the fact that we chased her all the way from Battery Park, and saw her up close as she pulled into the dock.  Not a lot of people can say that.

Oh and by the way....I had some real "me" moments while I was at the pier.  I wanted to take a picture of the gunner standing next to his machine gun so I decided (rather stupid of me) to walk up next to him to take a picture. A few of them came right up to me and asked me to leave as there were lots of ammunitions around there and they did not want me to get hurt.   Then I decided to stand next to the news cameramen to take pictures of the ship, and one of them tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to step aside as his camera was a live feed and he did not want my head (my husband claims I've got a big head) in the way.  This last incident is the funniest to me.  While waiting outside, I saw a man in a suit talking to the radio in his sleeve.  I had only seen that in the FBI movies and wanted to take a picture of him.  I turned on my camera and then quickly decided against it.  A few seconds later he called me over and asked if I had taken a picture of him. I said no.  I later found out that he's NCIS!!!!    Man, I love that show!  Had I known, I would have taken the picture regardless.  My marine said he would not even attempt to bail me out if I had gotten in trouble for that. =)

Born and raised outside the US,  an attack on the World Trade Center did not have an impact on my life, as I had come to the US the year before for college and was just getting acclimated to my surroundings. Even though it was tragic and scary, it did not leave a scar like it has for most Americans. This was not the case for my husband who joined the Marine Corp as a result of 9/11.

September 11  has indirectly changed my life based on the choices my Marine made.

I am a proud Marine Wife today for two reasons.  One, I was able to witness history first hand as it  was being revealed.  Secondly, I was able to share that moment in time with my husband.  That ship and everything it is represents is who he is today.

USS NEW YORK should not just represent the tragedy.  It must remind us of the freedom we enjoy because of the sacrifices made by many.

Please make sure to visit the ship while she is here the rest of this week.
http://www.ussny.org/

Mrs. Sgt. P.

When Opportunity comes knocking...

11/01/2009
When Opportunity comes knocking, make sure to greet it with a hearty smile and welcome it in.  You will be surprised how it will change your life.

I spent the best part of the day with a LEGEND today.  I use the word "legend" with the utmost respect because this man truly is a walking piece of history!  To some he is a fellow Montford Point Marine, to others he's a fellow Computer Engineer. Some know him as a talented Photographer and Film Director.  Others know him as a successful businessman.

So many descriptions (and many more titles I'm sure I do not know of) for this man whose reputation precedes himself.  I wish to remember him as the angel God sent my husband's way....I would like to call him Mr. Opportunity.

My Marine loves photography and that's a known fact. Anyone who comes home will see the two SLRs and four lenses on his shelf.  If you live with him long enough you will notice he would rather sit on his iMac researching on cameras, lenses and learning up on photography than spend quality time listening to his wife yap about her day. =)

During the toughest season of Recruiting Duty (early days),  Mr. Opportunity paid him a random visit.  My Marine came home very excited and happy that day.  He had met someone that understood his passion for the Marine Corp and Photography.  My husband welcomed him, his motivational life stories and advices with a gracious smile, and an open/willing heart.

Today, Mr. Opportunity calls him "my student" and is teaching him the art of Photography while constantly rekindling his fire for the Marine Corp.

So I encourage you today to keep your eyes and your heart open to the world around you.  There are no coincidences in life, only opportunities.  Make the most of every chance you get as you will never know how much of an impact it will have on your future.  If it doesn't work out for you, at least you will have the satisfaction that you gave it your best.
Trust me, both our lives have forever been changed because my husband gave Mr. Opportunity a chance.


Dear Mr. Opportunity,
I salute you, Sir.  I'm grateful that God crossed both your paths.  I'm in awe of your love for Life, family, The Corp, and the Country.  I appreciate your enthusiasm to teach and be taught.  I'm grateful for ALL that you have done for America.  And most of all, I'm touched that you chose to invest time in my husband, and let me tag along and learn from you. I am a believer that God places people in our lives to guide us through the various seasons, and you're one such Angel.  Some day, I hope my husband and I will make a difference in this world, like you and your wife have and continue to do so.  God Bless!  

Mrs. Sgt. P.