Reason to Rhyme

I remember I had a silly question the other day, 
A question to answer all the way.
A bird,  I am,  alone on the lines,
A symbol that can't read the signs.
I cry out and it makes a song,
To relieve the pain in me all along. 
A life I love,  and I will live,
Centered on Him,  prepared to give.
A storm I feel,  will pass I hope.
The dark will pull and grope.
Resistance to the melancholy,
Apart from the rest. 
I love when the glow of the mornings,
The day glow at its best.
This is what makes me sing,
A fragile bird,
Delighted to take wing. 
Bright colored feather, 
Dropping on the ground.
Waiting to touch the ground,
Waiting  to be found.

Breakfast for the love of bacon...

http://www.recipecorner.com/breakfast-recipe_recipes/easy-egg-and-bacon-cups_recipe

Reminder

The sun gave this cloud a silver lining this evening. .. like God often does for me. I am currently reading 50 Shades of Grey for the second time. ..and falling in love with it all over again. This is my dirty little secret. .. hush hush.... I'm also starving because I have a weigh in tomorrow. I'm going to eat Taco Bell after because I can and TB is my weakness.  I haven't decided on what I should read next or start up alongside this book, but I should probably find something more educational besides my art textbook. ..

Coffee lover

If you love and can't live without coffee, you'll appreciate this! Add ice cubes made of coffee to your iced coffee recipes!  My Togo cup has gel inside the walls of it that freezes when you put the cup in the freezer. You'll never guess where I got it... Dollar General!  Stay tuned for my next post which will be about repurposing items you already have.

Create

I paint to release my stress.

The Good Wife

Check out the lady I admire at timewarpwife.com! She makes me motivated,  I finished her book #the good wife's guide... it's must-read!

What Is The Creative Asking of Me

            What is the creative asking of me? The creative doesn't ask a lot from me, it is more or less always there for me, waiting to call on it in a time of need. Being creative can not only send a message, but it can speak to many people in times when we speak different languages but need to say something.  Art has always been an outlet for me, or an escape from the scary realities that are so often in our everyday lives. Sometimes art speaks for us, when we don’t have the words to say how we feel or what we want to do. People pray for peace, but some artists can “create” peace and be heard without speaking a word. My creative side is more spiritual and has a calming effect on me. Painting and drawing is the equivalent to meditating for me.

            Whenever I was sad, or mad, or happy, there was a way I could express that through art. I had an outlet in my poetry as well. I loved to create and share with my friends and family. Some would say “good job” others would cry. I wasn't and am not a skilled artist by any means. It was “what” I was creating, not “how” that mattered. I could speak the language that could speak to anyone’s soul, the language of art.

            I was an absurd teenager with good grades and poor social skills. I remember my favorite class was art, and the teacher had me in her class all four years of high school. I didn't have many friends, but I had all my extra hours of school dedicated to creating. I had dreams of going in to graphic design and creating images that didn't necessarily sell products, but ideas. I wanted to create things that would make an impact on people and change their lives for the good. I wanted to make them think. My Father however told me that there was no money in art, even though I protested it wasn't for the pay; it would be for the purpose. Needless to say, I lost that battle and ended up in medical classes instead of my much beloved art.

            To this day, I still like to create when I find the time. I feel like my words are more powerful these days then my paintings. I enjoy poetry, but art is still a language I like to speak every now and then. Sometimes I will get the urge to grab a canvas and create, and often I end up disappointed with my work, but sometimes I get it right. I feel like I am meant to do great things, but for now I let the beauty of this world and what others create to affect me. I enjoy viewing art much more now than I used to. I sometime see things and wish I had a great camera or better skill at painting to recreate the beautiful moments I come across. Often I am stuck filing it in my memory, but I do love to see the works of others. Some artists have a lot to say, and sometimes I feel like I understand what they are trying to get across, sometimes I have to dig into my soul a little deeper. Then I realize some things were meant for my own interpretation just to appreciate and enjoy.

            The creative will always be in me, even if just as a companion to follow me through life and teach me to appreciate the lovely things left in this world…    

The Hurdle PART 3

So he tried to hide that he had relapsed, but by now I was an expert on drug addicts, or so I thought. Some of the stories and excuses he had, you wouldn’t believe. Including writing a budget down in “invisible ink” and insisting it could be read, as well as ten dollars magically flying out the window. Why did he not put all twenty into the gas tank? Well he insisted that you get better gas mileage if you put gas in ten dollars at a time. The ten dollars he had left flew out the window… Anyway, those stories are done being told because I am over the whole thing. I found more evidence of a relapse and finally came to my senses. I kicked him out. Sure I felt bad about it, and no I didn’t want it to come to that, but he wasn’t taking me seriously. I helped him even look for a place to room and insisted that if he could prove to me that he could support himself, we could continue to try to make the marriage work. I insisted that he and I could continue going on “dates” and possibly marriage counseling if he would be willing to go. I never got a call about either one.

The next time I saw him; he was living out of his car and pissing behind a dumpster. He was supposed to meet me at the bank at a specific time, and he showed up two hours late at the wrong place. Apparently “bank” sounds like “gas station”, especially if he was high. I needed the separation papers notarized and I insisted that he meet me the next day at the correct place and at the right time. He began to make it sound like he wasn’t going to do it unless there was something in it for him. I bought him a cold drink and some cigarettes and he seemed content with that. Finally a friend of mine was able to get him to sign the papers in front of a notary, because he would not meet me. I heard from him several times after that, few and far between.

I never got a call for a date or counseling, there was no signs of him recovering. After that it is a blur, I only communicated through his family to see how they were doing, seeing as they were great people and were not the ones who had wronged me. Who knows what he told them and if it was true or not. His family was enabling him, I knew it wasn’t intentional. Sometimes family has a hard time understanding that what they think is helping, is actually hurting a situation. I got a call randomly one day while at work. A lady from his doctor’s office called asking if I could come pick my husband up. When I asked why, she said he was “unstable” and had driven there from Wilmington on a suspended license. She explained that he had been pulled over on his way and ticketed, and upon continuation of his journey, parked in the middle of their parking lot (not in a spot). His Mom had given him money to go to the doctor by taxi. He apparently pocketed the money and decided to drive on a suspended license. I told them I would come get him, and then called back and said I was not coming; the ambulance or police would have to take him away. I wasn’t his saving grace, and I was not going to give him the wrong impression.

He used and abused his parent’s kindness so many times that it made me feel sick. I would sob on the phone with his Mother, just because I felt empathy for their hearts and the sadness they must feel. Some days she was on my side, some days she was so naive to his antics. He would ask them for money all the time, and lie to them and they believed him, because they wanted to believe him. I hope they heal in their own way, I know I am healing every day from being used up by him. They have been doing it for years, and I don’t know how they did it.

Recently I had gotten a call late one evening, from a fellow co-worker. He insisted that he and his wife had just seen my soontobeexhusband on the news. I lost my breath. “What for?” I asked. Apparently he tried to out run the cops when they arrived for a “intoxicated persons” call. Upon the chase, he acquired charges up the butt for speeding to evade failure to stop for siren and lights, amongst other traffic charges. Wait, there is more… He also had a drug called “Spice” in his car and drug paraphernalia, so there was a DWI. But wait, there is even more… He ran over two spike strips before his car was disabled and tried to run down an officer with his car… So now he is in jail, probably looking at a felony… and I am hoping no one bails him out because this might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe this is the only way he will truly get better.

I pray for him and his family, and I do hope that he recovers from this horrible addiction. I am telling this story to help others. I wish I would have known my husband better before I married him, and I wish we would have went to counseling before it got as bad as it did. I don’t tell this to get pity or create hate, I tell it to share my learning experience. Perhaps this would help someone else who may be in or about to be in a situation like I was. I am closer to God and I am much happier, even though marriage isn’t all about happiness. It takes equal effort on both spouses part to make a marriage last and work I believe. I just have zero tolerance for drugs, and I did have faith in him, but not as my husband. I know that sounds bad, but I need a husband that serves the Lord before himself. He used to call me a bible thumper once I started getting closer to God and into church. What kind of husband does that? He was non-supportive, but I had to “Let go and Let God”. And that is what I did. I am so blessed and I am so thankful that I am safe, I continue to pray for him and his family. Love is the best medicine.  

The Hurdle PART 2

So after a while, I started noticing something. He would take my car without asking if I was out with a girlfriend… take my debit card while I slept and pull money out for who knows what. This seemed perfectly normal for a husband to do in his eyes. “We are married, I can’t believe my own wife isn’t okay with me using her car or asking for money!” He would say… “Common courtesy please, just ask next time, and don’t lie about things…” I would reply. I am sure I didn’t act perfectly in every argument. I would get heated when his ignorance didn’t allow him to understand what I was trying to communicate to him. I just wanted him to respect me, and act like the man of the house I thought he could be. By the time he had gotten his job, his parents had brought his car down for him and that is when shit really hit the fan… Freedom; that is all he wanted.

Freedom to do as he pleased when he pleased isn’t denied to the responsible man, but is too much for the boy. You see… this was the first time outside of the service that he actually had any freedom, so he ran with it. He would go fishing, or so he said. He started being late for work, making up lies to tell his boss as an excuse. He would be out until the wee hours of the morning and not answer my calls or text. I’d stay up all night waiting and hear his car door as the sun began flooding the morning scenery. I’d ask why he didn’t call or answer me. He would say he was on his way home and never show up… I was worried. Like a mother who has kids that sneak out.

Then his behavior became apparent. Red eyes, slurred speech, unable to stand still, unable to urinate… would come home and not be able to carry on a normal conversation. At first I just thought it was weed, but then I started going through his phone and drawers at night. Text messages about deals going down, and slang terms for drugs I have never heard of. Pill bottles with no label… a small straw hidden in the armpit of a shirt that had a small hole between layers… tons of cigarette plastics… WTF? I thought to myself… I don’t even know what half this shit is for but it doesn’t look good…  

I got his family into it, and after a failed attempt to have a counsel with one of his doctors, I was pulled aside by a medical professional and told that it was obvious that he had relapsed and he needed to go somewhere to get help. I was crying. I didn’t feel comfortable around him after we left. I told him he had to go to rehab. He got angry, and insisted that they wouldn’t take him because no one is addicted to weed. In my mind, I knew there were more things he was on, including prescription meds. I told him he had to either leave the house or he could go to rehab. After much convincing he agreed to go to rehab after the 4^th of July. And he did.

I got everything taken care of. Drove him myself, dropped off cigarettes and dip every weekend and attended a Nar-Anon meeting weekly at the facility for my own healing. I met some very good people there, and one girl was in a situation similar to mine. I felt better. We could make this work. Then his 30 days was up, and he was doing great for two weeks. Even managed to go back to his job… but two weeks and he was at it again…

To Be Continued…

Getting Over the Hurdle PART 1

                Have you ever had something face you in your life, and your feet can’t move? All the sudden it feels like you are in a quick sand pit, and you can’t move forward? I am here to tell you that this has happened to me before. The trials and tribulations that life throws at us can be paralyzing. How could I possibly get past this? How could I defeat this?

                We are all designed to succeed. God designed us in his image and has our back at all times, so how could this happen? In my belief, it is meant to test our faith and help us grow. Some people aren’t prepared for what life has in store. The good news is that you can push through any obstacle and you will be a better person for it.

                My marriage lasted approximately 11 months. This was not only heartbreaking, but very challenging to overcome. I cannot tell you how many times I cried and wept over this “failure” in my life. I just know it was too many times. I had gotten married, blindly in love and not willing to hear the protests or see the signs that it was doomed from the start. He had been into drugs in his past and I didn’t know him as well as I previously thought.

                Supposedly inspired by my awesomeness, this “man” took refuge in a relationship with me. He knew I did not tolerate or advocate drug use, nor did I even socialize with anybody who did. Drugs to me are a life ender, in more ways than one. I found him and took on my role as “Miss Fix-it” and through inspiration and encouragement, believed I had made him well again.

                Problem was that wasn’t my job. Despite much time spent together, and his charming words and actions, I didn’t know him. However, after about a year of dating, he got into trouble and was going to be kicked out of the service. While he was restricted to his quarters, I talked to him every day. I was trying to keep him encouraged and his thoughts away from the easy way out. He brought up marriage. I said no, we aren’t ready. He got mad and I walked away and never looked back. He wasn’t going to try to use me. I wasn’t going to be his crutch.

Months later, he started talking to me again. Friendly conversations of “how do you do” turned into thoughts of being together again. So I surprised him and drove up to his parents’ house. I thought he was better on the outside, when inside, he was still sick. I thought I knew him well enough to make him my husband.  So we planned to get married that fall.

I didn’t see the signs at first. After we were married I sent him back to his parents’ until I found a house. I bought the house, furnished it the best I could, and a month later I picked him up from the airport. He looked good and healthy. How happy was I, finally settling down. We only had my car, so he began a job search from home upon his arrival.

Six months passed. Sometimes dinner was done when I got off work, sometimes the house was clean. More and more he was asking for my car, or more money, or things he didn’t need. It was hard enough supporting us on just my income. We were generally happy, not many arguments. The longer and longer he didn’t have a job, the more worried I became. Was this how it was always going to be? I was playing both gender roles and it was starting to upset me. He would say he was going to do something and he wouldn’t, but finally he obtained a job that paid well.

It took a while for his paychecks to hit, but somehow I was still paying all the bills. I was wondering to myself… how was he making more than me, when I see no proof? He was responsible for one or two things and honey do lists that never got finished. A lot of talk and no action I determined. Then I second guessed myself because at least he had a job. Even though I saw no benefit in the household, at least he could take care of his own bills.

Now one might wonder why I am paying so close attention to the financial aspect of all of this. The truth is, it was the first sign. The first sign of drug use in this man was missing money. He was diagnosed with PTSD from deploying, so I felt like it had something to do with his mentality. I felt bad for him, he was sick. So I let it slide. From there the signs became more and more apparent…

To Be Continued

You'll never believe this... I can read!

So my friend "Corrie the book crazed girl" asked on her blog today, "What are you reading?" I am currently reading three books outside of my Intro to Criminal Justice class, and finished a good one a couple weeks ago. So this is what my reading list consists of:

Finished:
"Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield

Imagine the movie 300 only in a book. I was completely taken by this book at first. Very interesting and well written. It was a little slow around the middle, but I pressed on and then sped through the rest. The imagery in my head was intense while reading this. The blood and gore I read about was enough to give me a taste of PTSD. Just kidding, but seriously... It was that intense at points! It also interested me in watching a couple videos about Thermopylae.

Currently reading:

"The Good Wife's Guide" by Darlene Schacht
(Inspired my post about the domestic housewife)

Very good book so far. It is Christian based, but very honest and easy to read. I can't wait for the next chapter every time I have to set it down!

"The Story" foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee

The greatest story in history, told so people like ME can understand it. Yes folks, it is the story of the Bible! Only arranged in chronological order and written modernly for our contemporary minds to learn from. The only never-out-of-date story is uplifting and the Word is given light into our everyday lives. We are reading this in our church, a chapter per week, but I keep reading ahead!

"The Warrior Ethos" by Steven Pressfield

This author is the bomb. He makes war beautiful and violence artistic. A must read for the military soul. Just started into it a week or so ago and I love it! Quick read, should be done in another half hour...

Thanks for rekindling my interest in books Magen, even though you probably didn't even know you did :) Check out her blog at www.corriethebookcrazedgirl.com

Inspiration Station

I recently posted the following status on Facebook, and wish for it to reach to more people;

"If you feel like you haven't made a difference or there is no chance to change the world, remember you are changing it... One person at a time. Because the influence and impact you make on one life is one step closer to making a difference. Aim to make a difference and be compassionate to each person in your life, and those to come."

 

I think this applies to the good and people that we meet in our lifetime. Even bad boyfriends, back stabbing friends, and rude strangers have an impact on our life that can be a positive influence! I have life examples of how the bad ones helped me.

 

I once had a boyfriend who got drunk out of his mind and punched me like I was a man. You know that taught me what NOT to look for in a man and what I will not tolerate in ANY relationship.

 

I once had a friend who I felt was constantly against me, trying to get into my business and really, I should have listened to her, because she turned out to be right. EVERY relationship has its ups and downs including friendships.

 

I once got flipped off while I was driving the speed limit. The feeling I got from being flipped off helped me hold my bird down if I get road rage. I wouldn't want anyone to feel how I did when that happened to me.

 

I've been chewed up, spit out, cheated on, ran through some deep shit, but I know it could always be worse, and I am so thankful for all the GOOD in my life because it always outweighs the bad. I have been so blessed and given so much in my life that I try to see the good in everything, even though sometimes I think it is impossible. I really get a kick out of it when I am driving by myself and a thought of something happy hits my mind and I smile and giggle to myself. That happened today while I was driving to work. It is sunny and beautiful out and I was thinking about Bella, my dog, and how she and my cat O'Malley play so well and make me laugh and smile. I laughed and smiled so big my face hurt. Remember we are the only ones that have the choice to change our attitude. My best friend once told me that happiness is a choice. Sometimes I get sad, or down, or the weather is nasty... So I sit down with old photos, call an old friend I haven't spoke to in a while, or talk about memories with my Sister, Dad, or Mom that we have been telling for years. Every person has touched your life for a reason, and I truly believe God puts these people in our lives to help us learn and grow and know His love. We love others and you will be repaid in full plus some in happiness and joy that will last you more than a life time.

Domestic House Wife

Recently I have had a stronger stance on some issues that I really didn't have an opinion about. One of the major ones that I happily argue is Feminism and "Domesticated Women". Before you get all angry, at least read what I have to say about both.

The direct definition of Feminism is:

fem·i·nism

/ˈfɛməˌnɪzəm/ Show Spelled [fem-uh-niz-uhm] Show IPA

noun

1.

the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

2.

( sometimes initial capital letter  ) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.

3.

feminine character.

Thanks dictionary.com! Now for the definition of "feminine":

fem·i·nine

/ˈfɛmənɪn/ Show Spelled [fem-uh-nin] Show IPA

adjective

1.

pertaining to a woman or girl: feminine beauty; feminine dress.

2.

having qualities traditionally ascribed to women, as sensitivity or gentleness.

3.

effeminate; womanish: a man with a feminine walk.

4.

belonging to the female sex; female: feminine staff members.

Now I have noticed the similarities in these words, but have been baffled by their different meanings. When I speak of feminists in this blog, I am directly speaking of the "crazies", the ones who go overboard on women's rights and protest dresses.

I believe in the domestic house wife. Yes, you read it right. I believe that a woman whose responsibilities consist of cooking, cleaning, and child rearing are the most blessed of all. If your husband can support your family and ever give you the option to stay home, it is a job. Now it does matter if you are good at your job. I don't think it is ridiculous that women have careers, I am one of them, but I think that happier marriages, homes, and children come the product of a housewife. I say "domesticated" not to be confused with the domestication of an animal, but "of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family" (dictionary.com).

I believe this for several reasons:

1: I was blessed to have my Mother home the first five years of my life, and I am so thankful for that. During that time I was bonding with my Mother and was happy to spend time with her. After she went to work again, I was stuck in "Before and After" care because both of my parents had to be to work before school started and didn't get done to come pick us up until a while after the school day. I would have taken any of those days to spend with my Mother or Father instead of pent up in a make shift zoo in the cafeteria at my school. I was properly socialized and learned manners young; things that parents don't have time to teach when they are working all the time. If I was able to have the choice to raise my kids and be at home for them, I would take it in a heartbeat and appreciate every moment of it. Kids grow up.

2: Cleaning is something I enjoy doing. I see alot of my military families have stay at home wives. Alot of them are productive and take pride in their job holding down the fort while their husband deploys and goes to work. The one thing I can't understand however, is why some of these wives who don't have a job, OR KIDS, sit on their bum all day on facebook or watching Lifetime Movie Network EVERYDAY. That would drive me nuts, as said wife or husband. That house should be kept clean! I see wives who work and have kids somehow manage to keep a clean house, how come someone without a job or kids can't? I like to clean and I do it because I am a tad OCD. It isn't spring clean all the time everyday, but it is kept up and presentable (unless there was a party last night lol). It drives me nuts that these kids have wives who sit at home and don't treat being a housewife as a job, because IT IS!

3: Cooking is fun, I personally like baking better. Family dinners do make a difference. Sometimes the men like to cook, that's cool. But maybe you can ask if they need any help or clean up afterwards? If you are one of the blessed women with cooking skills, and your job is to be a housewife, is it much to ask that a meal be prepared that everyone can sit down and eat together? Sure there are pizza nights, and nights you eat out. 

Overall, as a housewife, you should cook. ESPECIALLY if you don't have kids. Like I said, some men like to cook, so maybe switch on and off and take turns so no ones resents anybody.

So if you are still angry about this, I have some special instruction that needs to be present for this all to sound appealing.

#1 This only works if you have a good man as your husband (or significant other). If you don't have a man who can function as head of household this all goes to crap. A man who is appreciative of the job you have at home and your efforts to keep up. A man who does not DEMEAN you for the job of housewife, but will give constructive criticism as well as accept any constructive criticism from you. A man who offers to help with chores and maybe cook once in a while. This is the ideal man, and none of us women are perfect either. A strong communication skill set must be at hand here so that everyone works as a team instead of a dictatorship.

#2 You have to hold up your end. I hope all you ladies take pride in your work. If you are a housewife, this means your kids, your house, and your cooking. A boss in the professional world can give you an evaluation, and if you fail to do the job you can get fired. In the marriage world this translates to positive and negative feedback from your spouse, and or arguments. I'd prefer to get a negative evaluation and improve myself before I'd start an argument about something as stupid as laundry or the noodles being over cooked. I see too many housewives not taking their job seriously and not showing pride in it. I also see men who don't appreciate the things their wives do, they expect it but do not encourage the wife or give positive feedback. This is a two sided arrangement.

So to all the people who may be offended by this, I just want to let you know I haven't been a housewife yet. I've been working, going to school, taking care of my animals, AND keeping up with housework in the blessed home my good Lord gave me. I would absolutely jump for joy if ever given the oppurtunity to do just the "housewife" part, because like I said, that is a job entirely in itself. I would have a man who I'd be glad to do it for, and he would return the favor by providing for the kids and I, as well as respecting me as a person. Plus I like to wear dresses, so I would be wearing dresses alot :) Maybe sweatpants some days. I also don't have kids yet, so you're right, I don't understand how hard it is to raise a child, but I do know that they eventually take naps and entertain themselves, and eventually go to school. I also plan on training my children to help me with the housework for stickers! :) I say all of this because I know of women who do it all and they are awesome mothers and housewives, and I sit back in awe at their work ethic. Alot of them even go to college too by taking classes online or night classes. I never said women should be uneducated! That is even more admirable if they can juggle all that. 

Overall, I am overwhelmed by how big of a deal some women make over not being equal to men in all ways. Women aren't men, plain and simple. We got the brains, they got the brawn. Just kidding. I think some women are capable of doing amazing things and there are many women professionals I admire. I strongly believe however, if given the option in today's society, I'd go for domestic housewife. There was even a study done that proved that a husband and wife in traditional gender roles were happier in their marriage! (Mind you, the husband has to fit his billet as well as head of household/ God in marriages makes a difference as well) 

These are articles I found interesting:

1)  http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/02/05/to-be-happy-must-admit-women-and-men-arent-equal/

2) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270399/Couples-stick-gender-roles-home-sex-20-times-year.html

And last note; why compete with your husband professionally when you are supposed to be a team. You are both just as important as the other. If you both put eachother first, you will be happier. If you treat eachother with respect and live by the framework of a "bible" marriage (meaning Husband head of household, then wife, then children), you may just realize you will argue less and work together more. Housewives that don't do anything, get off the couch and be awesome at your job!

I'll be interested to know if this works, so feel free to give any feedback.

Broken Hearted Marine

My heart is broken. I know I have brothers and sisters who have deployed and that are currently overseas. I am very impressed with our Commandant and SgtMaj of the MC for defending us as best they can and keeping our deployed and deployable units as ready as they can. Concentrating the need on properly training and maintaining our readiness. I encourage those who haven't watched the Commandant and... SgtMaj video they released March 8th to watch it and observe their concern. They are doing their best with what we have. We are Marines and I really feel like no one knows how much my brothers and sisters sacrifice every day in this Corps. They sacrafice time with their family, watching sons and daughters being born, and the feeling of being "settled" because we move so often. They sacrafice their lives, their freedoms, and so much more than you can imagine on individual levels. Yet the Commandant and SgtMaj speak thoughful words that we will have to sacrifice more, we are giving more up, to continue to be the most elite fighting force. Because we are Marines, we will do as he says. I believe every Marine who loves the Corps agrees they would die for it, even though these hard and uncertain times may break our hearts. It hurts and we keep pushing through because we are Marines and that is what we do in hard times. We do without and we keep our passion alive by the blood that runs through our bodies. It is hard to stay motivated in these times, hard to keep up morale... But it is in times like this that we should be more motivated to show that they can cut our budget but they can't cut our honor, our faithfulness, or our ability to be ready when we are called. Some may say this post is overboard, but I see alot of heartbreak in the Marines around me and this is what is on my mind. Some may get out after one enlistment, I may be one of those. The ones who are staying in may find this comforting. We are Marines and we are used to doing without, adapting and overcoming, and making the best out of our situation. Never have I seen a kind of person who can be in the worst situation and make light of it like a Marine can. We are a different breed. I leave with thanks to my brothers and sisters who have deployed and will deploy, the ones who are overseas and the ones who have retired or gotten out. Without you America wouldn't be the same, and neither would I. Love you all.