Sometimes you just need...

The girls at a Winter Formal.

1. A good friend: I have the most amazing friends a girl could ask for.  I know that I have become friends with each of them for a different reason. I have friends I talk to when I'm having a rough patch at work, I have the friends I talk to when I need someone to ground me, I have friends that are just there to talk, and I have friends who know something's wrong with me before I do.   A lot of my friends and I are so different that people wonder how we even came to be friends...well, it's because we love each other and would do ANYTHING in the world for each other.

JO Nation Ready for Color Night FUN!

2. A good laugh: I've always enjoyed laughing, and I feel like it does a lot for your soul.  A laugh can turn an otherwise interesting situation into a more comfortable one.  If you're sad but you can think of something funny,  laughing can ease the sadness.  And when things just seem to be at the very worst, laughter can make it a little bit better.

R.J. showing us how to RELAX!

3.  A break from everything: You just need to slow down and take in a bit of life.  Enjoy that sunrise (even if its because you are on your way to work when you see it).  Take time to ask people how they're doing and genuinely listen to their answer. Don't feel bad if you stay in your pajamas all day after a long week of work...let your body and mind rest.

These are just a few things that are important. I bring this up because this past week we had another girls night here in Coos Bay.  Jess Leuthold, Dawn Poe, Jill Tamminen, Meagan Church, and I went out to eat in the middle of the week. We were originally going to see a movie as well ("One Day"), but since Coos Bay is such a small area it was no longer in the theatre. I believe it was sort of a blessing in disguise, because while I was sad we couldn't see the movie, I was able to enjoy some much needed "girl talk." Working with 16 guys on a daily basis really wears on me more than I think sometimes. It was so refreshing to be able to talk about something other than work, and interact with these beautiful, intelligent women.  It is my hope that we can make these nights happen more frequently (granted, I know they like spending time with their husbands...I'm just glad we could have a night out with just the girls).

So basically, the girls night made me think of a few things that are needed in life and in return sparked this post. I hope you all had a wonderful Saturday!

Much Love,
LB

MIA, but wish I was here instead...

So, I know that I've been out of touch for a month now, but August turned into a very busy month. I'm actually glad that it's over!

On the evening of August 11, I received a phone call around 9:30pm informing me that one of my crewmembers had been killed in a car accident. My Commanding Officer (CO) was out of town and so a lot of things fell directly on me. That night was one of the longest nights I've experienced in several years. I was in disbelief, overwhelmed with all the details that were on extremely tight timelines, and just unbelievably sad.  I may have gotten one hour of sleep that night. The next morning, I had to face my crew in person (all of them were contacted the night before by one of our Chiefs).  I am an extremely emotional person, and seeing grown men cry didn't help me keep myself together. 

Deuce being Deuce during his last trip into the Bay.

 The next several days were a whirlwind. I was on the phone and getting phone calls on the ship's phone at the same time, working on funeral arrangements, logistics, etc.  The Group here in North Bend helped tremendously and I don't know how I would've done this without them.  Half of our crew was able to attend the funeral in Newport, RI and acted as pallbearers during the funeral service.  It was very touching to see members of Mike's former unit (ANT Boston) lining the sidewalk as the funeral procession pulled up to the church.   I wanted the crew to be as involved as they needed to be for their individual closure during this hard time. I feel that the guys that went to Newport are the ones that needed to be at the wake and funeral to accept the reality that none of us wanted to believe nor accept.

Mike was a HUGE Red Sox (and anything New England) fan. He reenlisted at their stadium.

With a crew of 17, we are all very close, know each others likes and dislikes, and we are basically a floating family. This sad experience has brought us even closer as a unit.  We have one more mission, this evening at sunset we will place Mike in his final resting place, the Pacific Ocean, during a burial at sea.

Mike on his last small boat ride out at sea (he's standing infront of the B/I Coxswain). He was one of the best Coxswains I've ever seen.

This past week we went back to sea, without Deuce; we rode in the small boat, without Deuce; and we did the mission, without Deuce.  Although he wasn't here physically, we know that he's with us and will continue to live through us. 

Sorry for such a Debbie-Downer post, but I promise a good one in just a few days.

Much Love,

LB