Semper Fi Hearts

On October 6^th my Mother celebrated her 75^th birthday and my parent’s celebrated their 55^th Wedding Anniversary.  I always appreciated how my parents simplified our calendars with this joint celebration. One day, two events.  If you remembered one you were golden however, if you forgot the date, well, you were in the dog house!

  Just like the Universe aligns the stars in the sky, it was destined that the family would be together on this day.  Our parents had invited all of us out to dinner to celebrate the dual occasion.  All four daughters were there along with two son-in-laws, one was home parenting his young son while his wife was dining with us.

  Special is a word that is used and overused to express a particular feeling, but it was special and magical to all be together for this evening.  Distance would soon separate us physically, the great big bear hugs won’t be possible with the whole clan, but as we always have been, we will remain close in heart and connected.

 During this wonderful celebration Dad mentioned that on the following Saturday night he was going to walk in the “Light the Night” Event for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  He was looking for financial sponsors, and of course he found them at our table.  They were the best kind, extremely generous.  But he also found a partner in this endeavor.  I told Dad that I would love to walk with him.

  Both of my parents have huge hearts.  They are full of compassion for their family, their friends and any one in need.  Like all families we have our own inside jokes.  One term that has never left our family is “mercy of mission.”  Now you can probably figure out that the words were inverted, but the action and sentiment rings true.  My parents have and continue to conducted many “missions of mercy”.   I remember hearing that my Dad took a 50-50 ticket one evening during his bowling league to benefit a local family that lost their home to a fire.  Of course Dad won, and true to himself, he gave his share to the family in need.

  Dad shared his reason for wanting to walk in the “Light up the Night” event.  He was walking for his Godmother who died of leukemia and his brother-in-law who has been battling lymphoma for the last thirteen years. 

  Now, let me tell you about Dad’s brother in law, my Uncle.  From a very young age I have always known Uncle Bob to be a very precise man.   Manicured haircuts, deliberate speech patterns, freshly cleaned and creased clothing are his trademarks.  This of course was to the outer world.  To his family and friends he is the man who listens to you….really, really listens, and then offers advice. He is the owner of the bluest pair of eyes that are full of compassion.  These eyes are the portal to a wonderful and amazing soul. 

  When I was very young my Aunt and Uncle lived four houses away from us.  At this time Uncle Bob was a Pharmacist.  One summer afternoon while out playing a few of the neighborhood kids fell and landed on my arm.  My Mother doctored me up, but asked Uncle Bob to come take a look at me that night.  Of course he obliged.  I had taken up residence in my parent’s bed and room.  As clear as day I remember Uncle Bob leaning close to me so no one else could hear. He said, “Well, it doesn’t look broken, but tell your Mom it hurts a lot.  You will get lots of ice cream and should sleep in the big bed.”  And that I did….even though my arm was broken.  I think Uncle Bob told me that just so I would not worry.  And I didn’t worry.

  When you are young you truly do not understand the impact of the decisions that adults make.  Our worlds are small and confined.  Somewhere within this time my Uncle Bob who had served with the Marines (his mandatory term) in Vietnam during the war decided, after much soul searching that this was his calling.  So he re-enlisted, signed up again, or whatever you call this act of selflessness.   The details of this part of his journey are fuzzy to me, but the reason why he did it is crystal clear.  It is a calling, a belonging, a sense of county and a passion.  The Marine Corps was a part of him as much as he was a part of the Marine Corps.

    In 2005 my daughter was in the eighth grade. Her history class she was assigned a project called “Veterans in My Family.”   There were a series of questions that she needed to ask each veteran.  These questions included their branch of service, wars fought in, responsibilities, honors received and of course if they had anything that they would like to share or say. 

   My daughter called Uncle Bob and asked for his assistance. He was honored to share his experience with her.  I know that there is so much more could have been included in her report.   He has a very long and equally successful career as a Marine.  However, the project requirements were one page per veteran. So this is the condensed version of his career and these are the words that accompanied the pictures and colorful ribbons embossed with the American flag.

“My Great Uncle, Robert Wilson was in the U.S. Marine Corps.  He served for twenty six years starting in 1962.  He retired from the Marines as a Colonel.  He did two tours in Vietnam War.  He has been assigned to Vietnam, Italy, Spain, Israel, Hong Kong, Belgium, Singapore, Okinawa, Kuwait and other countries in the Mid-East, and countries by the Mediterranean.  Areas he specialized in included infantry and intelligence.  My Uncle Bob has three bronze stars, a Leisure Merit, a Navy Unit Sanction, Presidential Unit Sanction (which the Unit received) and a Vietnam Course of Gallantry.

On his first tour in Vietnam he was Intelligence and the Helicopter Squad.  He spent six months (on his second tour) as a Company Commander and fought in the 5^th Marines Regiment on a daily basis. He lost one hundred and fifty people.  He also spent six months as an Operations Officer in Planning.

  He also said, “It was an honor to serve.””

  I know that my Uncle’s service consisted of so very much more than this eighth grade report could begin to touch upon.  I remember my Mom baking chocolate chip cookies that were not for us kids but for Uncle Bob while he was on tour.  They were neatly and protectively packed in colorful metal cookie tins.  Kool Aide packets always accompanied the cookies the Marines needed something to flavor the water.

   Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps my Uncle began a consulting service.  He and my aunt planned to make up for much of the time that they spent apart during his Marine Corps service.  They love to travel and that was part of their plan. 

  We all know that life does not proceed solely according to our plan.  Shortly after his retirement Uncle Bob was diagnosed with lymphoma.  He underwent the recommended treatments and was in remission.  The cancer reoccurred again but in another part of his body.  Once again he underwent more treatments and then remission.  This cycle has continued for thirteen years!  The source of the cancer has been linked to Agent Orange that he was exposed to while serving in Vietnam. My Uncle loves the Marine Corps.  The Corps has always run through his veins.  Another of life’s ironies, my Uncle’s life passion is also the cause of one of his greatest battles.

 Uncle Bob served twenty six years of his life as a Marine and has spent the past thirteen years fighting to survive.  Like any battle a Marine may encounter the lymphoma battle has been one of strategy, attacking, and retreating.  Each time a different part of the body is affected and Uncle Bob wins the battle.  Some are loud victories, others are quiet ones.   Marines are strong.  Marines have resolve.  So this lymphoma did not know what it was getting itself into when he took up residence in Uncle Bob’s body. 

  Last fall my cousins threw a surprise 50^th Anniversary for their parents.  At this time Uncle Bob was fighting a respiratory ailment.  His voice may have been weakened, but his spirit was strong.  There were many tributes to the couple, and heck making it 50 years together, they surely deserved it! 

  Each of their children had something heartfelt, funny or witty to say.  The youngest son not only had words to convey his feeling, but also music.  He played on this guitar the Marine Corps Hymn.  We are accustomed to hearing this song performed commanding and strong by a full brass band, much like the characteristics of the Corps. But the simplicity of the guitar strings and a son’s love brought this music to a different level.  Uncle Bob who has fought fearlessly for his country and deliberately for his life was overtaken by emotion.  I have never seen my Uncle release such pure feelings. This emotion came from those deep blue eyes that are connected to his heart, soul and core. 

http://youtu.be/PysmQGL6_tI

  The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fund raising event “Light the Night” is designed to raise not only financial support, but also emotional support for those fighting these diseases. Eager to do our part Dad and I arrived at the event ready to go.  We made our way to the registration tent, as we registered Dad made sure to tell the young man who was checking us in why and for whom we were walking. With our donations turned in we received our participant bracelets and headed out to join in the “pre-game” festivities.  We picked up our tee-shirts, visited the food tent and chose our balloons.  Dad had the balloons planned out.  They had three colors gold for those that have lost their battle with the disease, white for those who continue to battle and red for a show of support.  Dad chose a gold balloon, for his Godmother and I carried a white one, for Uncle Bob.  Inside the base of each balloon was a light, which in the dark, when you turned it on, would “light the night”.

  True to form, at the event Dad found someone he knew. Not only did Dad know this man, but his Granddaughter was a survivor.  She is a vibrant ten year old girl who was running around with her friends playing tag. She showed us that you can battle and overcome. Dad registered his Godmother’s name to read at the memory ceremony.  We had something to eat, enjoyed the band, the dancers the cheerleaders and we were touched by both the Memory and the Survivors ceremony. 

  Darkness soon entered and we began our walk.  Illuminated balloons in hand and a mixture of joy and sadness in our hearts we ventured out.  Dad and I walked in silence for the first ten minutes or so. I think we were both in reflective moods.  Then it struck me, I needed to enjoy this time with my Dad.  I wanted to savor it.  How many times do we truly have this opportunity, and how many times thereafter do we regret not doing so?  I began the conversation, but it took on a life of its own and flowed.  My Dad is full of insight, knowledge and wisdom.  On this night he shared all three….along with some family memories.   It really did not matter where or how long our walk was, all that mattered was that Dad and I were together. By doing this we were honoring two magical souls; one still with us, one who is not.  It is true, family ties do bind us.  They bind us in so many more ways than we realize.  And on that night because of the family ties¸ more memories were created.

  While driving to work the Thursday before the “Light the Night” event I was thinking about the upcoming walk and the reason why I was doing it.  I was also thinking about conveying this story.  So many thoughts and memories of my Uncle Bob flooded my mind, along with a few tears.  I wondered if I wrote this, would he or his family be upset or offended.  And as I was driving along this two lane country road, a road that I have traveled for the past five years I spotted a young man walking in the distance.  I believe that this may have been the third time in five years that I had spotted anyone walking along this narrow shoulder on the road.   I could see that he was wearing a red sweatshirt.  I don’t know why, but I said to myself “If he is wearing a Marine sweatshirt I need to write and share Uncle Bob’s story.”  Now, the red sweatshirt could have been for one of our two of our local colleges, or many professional sports teams, or just for a general advertisement.  As I got closer I saw the letters were gold….and when I could read them, clearly printed across this young man’s chest was “Lejeune.”   I gasped in shock! Camp Lejeune is a Marine training ground.  Thank you Universe for the acknowledgement and confirmation!

   Semper Fidelis or shortened, Semper Fi, the Marine Corps motto, in Latin means "Always Faithful”. When I first thought about writing this, I believed I was doing so for my Uncle.  However, as the feelings flowed and the words evolved I realized I was writing it for two very strong, courageous and honorable men; my Uncle and my Dad.  Both have engaged in battles and supported their brothers and family. They live their lives by example and compassion.  Here are to two Semper Fi hearts….may they continue to be always faithful………..and thank you for inspiring all of us!!!

The Sedona Experience - Part IV

              “In the midst of our lives, we must find the magic that makes our souls soar.” 

This quote is embossed on the front of the journal that I had purchased to bring along with me to Sedona.  The sentiment is fitting in so many ways.  This trip was a life line. I have rediscovered the magic within that was dormant. That which was once lost is now mine to hold, to embrace.  I pushed myself beyond the limitation that I perceived I had. And yes, with all of the messages and experiences that the red rocks have revealed to me, my soul that had been stuck in the mud is now free to and has taken flight.  I truly loved every minute of the experience.

After our hike on Sunday morning September 11^th I realized that I had just about twenty four hours left in this place where life takes shape, form and meaning. I must admit, I felt like Cinderella who only had limited time before the coach turned back into a pumpkin and the glass slipper was no longer mine to wear.

  I have struggled with writing this fourth and final installment of my Sedona journey.  I have been working on it sporadically the past few weeks and it just hasn’t felt right.  I find myself grasping for words that would bring the remaining experiences to life. I felt that I had become repetitive in my thoughts. I would write, read, edit, re-write, re-read and re-edit.  None of it was to my satisfaction.  So after scrapping all that I created, I decided to take a different approach.

    Story telling can be achieved in many different forms.   A story can be conveyed in written word, the spoken word, acting, drawing, painting, or by an electronic means such as a photograph.  Well, ok, in my case by many photographs!   I’ve decided to let the pictures tell the story of my last twenty four hours in Sedona and reveal the magic.

  Our second hike on September 11^th was an early evening hike at Court Yard Butte.  It is not a rock that you can easily climb upon, so our trek was upon an adjacent trail.  This is the story that the rocks, the land, the people and the clouds told on that evening……….

 The last hike of the trip was a sunrise hike at Cathedral Rock. This hike brought us full circle as we had hiked by a stream adjacent to Cathedral Rock the very first night. Sunrise at any Cathedral is always astonishing however, in this venue; in these red rocks it is simply spectacular!

  As we neared the completion of our Cathedral Rock hike the group gathered at the same plateau that was our first destination of the morning.  I found it ironic we stopped here during our assent and also our decent.  Another full circle moment; our first hike was in full view and adjacent to Cathedral Rock and our last hike was on it.  We sat on that plateau in a circle.  We lay down upon the rock and let the sun infuse just a bit more light into our hearts.  This trip was about the heart, specifically about love.  Not romantic love but love of who you are; love of life; love of family, more importantly our universal family, mankind; love of all of the abundance that surrounds us and that we fail to see on a day to day basis.  Most importantly it was about loving ourselves.  When we love ourselves and understand who we are we can communicate and spread the simple joys.  There were so many years that I did not love myself. Actually, I had lost myself. I didn’t know who I was.   Now, I understand, I get it. I do my best to live it.

  So as the group sat and talked upon that plateau our guide pointed out the images that had been etched by nature upon that stone……yes, you guessed it……….heart shaped imprints were within the rock! 

  We did not want to, but we knew that it was time to make our decent from the plateau and head towards the parking lot.  As we neared the place that we would step off of the red rock trail our guide and her partner held up the opposite ends of a piece of a tree branch. One by one we each exited the trail beneath this arch, but we are connected by heart.  We arrived here as individuals and exited as a unit.

 After the hike we shared a final meal together.  Breakfast at the “Red Rock Café” was in order.  With the conversation flowing faster than the coffee we simply enjoyed being together.  Deep down, we knew that as natural as this felt, it may be a long, long time before we would all be together again. When we return to our daily lives we will be separated in distance, but always connected by heart.

  It truly amazed me that these people whom I did not even know existed five days ago were now weighing very heavily upon my heart.  When breakfast finished I said my goodbyes.  The words were heartfelt, the hugs strong and tears sweet.  Every single person on this trip had touched me.  But now, more importantly I had to say goodbye to the woman who I had instantly connected with, the person with whom I felt as if I had known for a lifetime (and maybe I did).  This is the person who became a friend in an instant and will remain one for life. True to her form, she made this easy for me.  Much like she did throughout the trip.  The hug was long, deep and full of emotion, then she said, “This is not good bye; I will see you again soon.”

 When breakfast was finished I returned to my hotel room to shower, change and pack.  I was driving to Phoenix that afternoon and flying out early the next morning.  As if this trip could get any better, I had plans that afternoon to meet the author of a book that I had read for a cup of coffee. 

  So I packed my suitcase in my rented red Kia Soul and headed towards the highway.   As I headed down the highway I glanced in the rear view mirror for one more look at the red rocks.  I was thirsting for a little more magic and a little more light I was thankful for the nourishment I received and for all the messages that were provided.     

Unlike other vacations where I left with a lump in my throat and sadness in my heart because it was over, I left Sedona with a full heart, no an overflowing heart.  There was no room for sadness, a throat lump, or tears. I felt good, really good  and I know that I will return.

 It has been a little over five weeks since I began my Sedona journey.  I am still nourished from the experience. Today as I put on my sneakers to go out for a lunchtime walk I was drawn to the red hue that is still evident in the laces. As I was tying my sneakers I recited one of my own quotes, “Sedona’s red rocks are embedded in my sneakers and socks, but more importantly they are embedded in my heart and soul!” And yes, in the midst of my life, I found the magic that makes my soul soar………….