Wednesday, August 22, 2012

A Farewell To Arms

     As of 0930 yesterday morning, my service with the Army National Guard has come to an end.  And, even though it's what is best for my family, it still sucks.  So much of my life and my identity have been wrapped up in being a soldier and a veteran, and now that it's over, I feel lost.  I know that it will get better eventually, but I'm currently kind of, sort of, completely terrified.  What do I do now?  Who am I?  What am I doing with my life?  What's up with the universe and all that?  How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?  These are the things going on in the old canoodle right now.  But I do know one thing.  Despite all the griping and complaining about the military that I have done, I am really going to miss it.  It has truly been an honor serving with all my brothers and sisters in the armed forces (even the stupid ones,) and it is something that I will be proud of for the rest of my life.  Sanstrousers out.

Me playing Dr. Giggles in Iraq.
Definitely going to miss this kind of nonsense.

19 comments:

  1. Thank you for your service!!

    YOU. FREAKING. ROCK.

    Now on to new adventures with Skeletor!

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  2. The Murph's dad was in the marines for 4 years. The Murph said to tell you that it will always be a part of who you are. It's a part of you. It doesn't go away just because you aren't in active duty anymore. It is a part of you for the rest of your life. (the murph is so eloquent!)

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  3. All joking and my usual snark aside, thank you for your service. And for the picture - I needed that. ;)

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  4. Yes, thank you for your service. It is greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to reading about the next chapter in your, and your family's, life. :)

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    1. Thank you, there's no telling what's going to come next!

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  5. Congratulations, and thank you! Nature abhors a vacuum -- paging Dr. Giggles ...

    Best of luck to you!

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    1. Dr. Giggles is on a coffee break, but she sends her warmest thanks!

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  6. I too would like to add my thanks for your service. And also, great picture.

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  7. Me too on the big thank you. I have a very special place in my heart for those who defend our country. You have my greatest respect... well, ok... maybe my second-greatest respect (after all, *you* posted the Dr. giggles picture).

    Ending a career is hard. Finding your identity after that is even harder. But it will come, bit by bit. I'm still fighting myself over the end of my career, but the new me is a pretty amazing person too. Hang in there -- and if you want to talk, you know where to find me!

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    1. Thank you, that's so sweet! And about the picture...yeah, I have a tendency to undermine my own authority whenever possible.

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  8. I third or fourth it all. Thank you for your service.

    And please don't come near me with those tools. I will cry.

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  9. It's an odd feeling to be finished with something that was such an enormous part of your life..to not know where to go or what to do next. You'll figure it out.

    Thank you for your service!

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    1. Thank you very much. Yeah, my tummy's still doing the flippy floppies when I think about it, so...I try not to think about it!

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  10. You are hilarious! Thank you for your service:)

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