A new beginning

Witnessing a parent’s decline is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through (besides that of your own child)…

I discuss my father’s decline here because there are many sons and daughters who are experiencing the same thing.  My father was diagnosed with early onset dementia and his health is in rapid decline.  Along with congestive heart failure and his diabetes his body simply is breaking down.  However one thing I have witness in all of this is the human spirit. He is not ready to go though he is a very ill man.  His children have made a collective decision that he and mom have to move near one of us. Since I can be deployed (and looks like we will be in Afghanistan until 2014) then the logical choice is moving our parents closer to my sister and she has taken this task head on.

This move will give my mother the peace of mind she desperately needs by living closer to one of her kids.  Mom cares for my dad 24/7. Since she is unable to drive and the VA took his license they simply have to move near one of us though for years my dad dug in his heels. He wanted to die in that house and I understand that but when you live out in the country and there are no services whatsoever (buses, taxis and even the VA won’t bring a shuttle out there) the logical solution is moving near one of us kids.

It took years (and I mean years) to get my parents to this point.  My sister will be our father’s power of attorney.  She is an angel for doing all of this.  I can never thank her enough.

Watching a parents decline makes me realize how important it is to ensure that end of life decisions are in place (such as life insurance, wills, etc).  Unfortunately my parents do not have any of this and it will be up to his children to come up with the money to ensure a proper burial/cremation.  (You do what you have to do when it’s blood.)

Because diabetes runs on both sides of my family (more prominent on dad’s and heart disease in both), knowing this means that his kids have NO excuse to NOT maintain health. And trust me I will.  This means cleaning up my eating habits, continue exercising and simply having a more positive outlook on life.

A new beginning…..for all of us–a new chapter for my parents. It’s weird in that I grew up in that house back in Indiana since I was 7 and my sister has only known that home growing up, moving there right after she was born, was bought brand new.  I can still remember the fresh smell of paint, new wood and carpet.  Many years of happiness coupled with sadness but life is a dichotomy.  How can you appreciate the good times unless you experience the bad?

My parents lived in the Hoosier state their entire marriage.  44 years…44 years it’s amazing.  A new beginning for them both and hopefully my dad’s remaining time on this earth will not be chalked full of doctor’s appts., hospitalizations (I lost count how many times he has been admitted in the last couple of years).  But as his children we simply want him to be pain free and at peace.

A blessing in disguise

I have to retake the Army fitness test because last month I failed the 2 mile run by 1 minute.  I don’t know whether to laugh or cry over this but know it has to be rectified if I wish to reenlist.  So the last month I have been running thinking we were retaking the test this drill weekend (because it was on the schedule) however due to being out in the field for weapons qual. and today was our Sustained Readiness Program (SRP)…love them military acronyms we didn’t (obviously) have the test.  This program includes medical readiness:  immunizations, height/weight, EKG and cholesterol (for those of us over 40 cough cough), dental (again no cavities, never had them), updating familial medical history, any changes in our medical condition…basically ensuring we are on the high and ready for Uncle Sam and deployment.

LOVE this photo!

But the point of THIS post (because I can ramble) is that am given almost two MORE months to continue get into shape for the fitness test and be able to reenlist up to my retirement.  🙂

But it’s good to be home on my couch after being out and about working for my rich Uncle this past weekend. Makes me appreciate the “creature comforts.”

Save the Lynx at Joon

Please take a moment to sign the petition to free this beautiful endangered animal.  NO animal should be treated in such a dispicable shameful manner.

Click here to find out more information

Thanks American Bedu for taking the time to bring to light this problem. Hopefully it will be freed soon!

Music speaks to the soul

Well, I had written this “thoughtful” post on how music influences people and went to publish the darn thing and ended up with a blank page.  WordPress can bite it today!

Time Traveler’s Ball

Captain Marianna

NAME that adventure!

Click to enlarge

How to order Military Records

This is an informative video on how to order records from the Military Personnel Records Center (btw, I know the guy ordering his records..served on the same team together and were promoted together to the next level):

The NCO Creed

As an NCO I am proud to wear my sergeant stripes and I try my best to abide by this code. In honor of veteran’s day I salute all non-comissioned officers:

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army”. I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind — accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

History of the NCO Creed

Loneliness

“Learn your way around loneliness. Make a map of it. Sit with it, for once in your life. Welcome to the human experience. But never again use another person’s body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilled life.” Elizabeth Gilbert

Loneliness can be a curse or a blessing..depending on your perspective. I always say to those close to me:

I would much rather be single and alone than with the wrong person and lonely.

Loneliness can cause people to do crazy things: Such as staying in an unhealthy or unfulfillable relationship. Can spur a person to take on risky types of behaviors.  Sometimes dangerous.

Don’t let yourself get into this “habit”

Take heed of life..savor the day. Don’t give in to that darkness which can at times creep up on the best of us.

Don’t allow yourself to be a scratching post for others and don’t use others for your own personal gain.

The hypocritical

It’s ironic how you can meet some individuals who profess honor and integrity (especially if they wear the military uniform) yet their actions speaks louder than words.

You know the type–all talk yet when you analyze their actions, what they do actually belies their creditability.

I am not 100% perfect-though strive to be  🙂 seriously though if you cannot back up your words with what you actually do why even bother letting them out…I cannot stand individuals who say one thing yet do another.  It shows a lack of character.  Integrity is losing its meaning, it’s grasp on allot of today’s individuals has become foreign.

A good book to read is Where Has Integrity Gone?

Their Summary:

Have you ever heard people brag about how they fibbed a little and got the best end of a deal? The storyteller makes himself look like the smart guy and the victim the dummy. One man tells of fibbing to the police officer and getting out of a ticket. Another boasts of collecting a little extra insurance by pointing to prior damage on a vehicle—damage that was not a part of the accident being investigated. Someone relates that he bought a gift for his girlfriend and claimed it as a business expense. Lying and cheating have become common practice for many people. Is this a laughing matter, or does it represent a serious decline in moral standards? Is dishonesty just a clever way to get ahead, or will it lead to a bitter harvest for our society? Schrock clearly addresses this malady from a biblical perspective.

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The moral practices of today’s society is questionable. Actions can be found at work, play–with family.  Lying, deceit becomes the norm.  Whatever can bring about a “quick fix” or some type of self-gratification.  What does this say about us, in general, when it comes to the decline of our moral society? Where are we headed?