It's So Beautiful...

outside. Oh my gosh the weather outside right now is...perfect. Simply perfect. Eastern NC is definitely known for its crazy weather (hence the saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute!"). Earlier in the week, it was pretty chilly, but today is actually quite warm! But enough of the weather... Am I lame for not doing anything on Halloween?? I mean I just have so many other things to focus on (plus I'm broke). I have two tests back to back tomorrow, then once again, I'm going back to Havelock. My dad needs to go back to the airport *tear* and I'm going to see my mom in Swansboro to order my graduation announcements! I'm not wanting to do the fancy kind. I want simple ones with some pictures on them. Btw, I'm desperately wanting to know if I got into Grad School....seriously it's killing me. If I don't get in...I'm screwed.

So, I want to talk about something that I have seen a fellow blogger go through. What do you do when your loved one is a military member and dies in combat? Being a Marine Corps EOD daughter, my family and I have experienced a great deal of loss. EOD is, dangerous, simply put. When your significant other dies in combat, your loss is so significant. You know that this person died doing what they signed up to do-fight for our country. They died with honor, dignity, and respect. It will probably take a long time to 'get over' what happened, and that's okay. But you don't want to spend the rest of your life alone because you feel guilty for being with anybody else.

Back in July, I went with my father to a friend and fellow EOD buddy's funeral at Arlington National Cemetery (the picture in my header and on the right of my page are from this trip and ceremony). As I watched Gunny Pate's wife receive the flag the covered his coffin, I felt for her. I could not imagine the severity of the pain she was feeling at that very moment. I whispered to my dad, "Gosh that would be so hard to deal with and live with." He replied, "Yes, but she knows that he died for his country and the Marine Corps. She will move on because it's what Pate would have wanted." And this is true. If you have lost your loved one in combat (or any other way I guess), you can't live your life unfulfilled because you feel bad or guilty. The person you lost wants you to be happy! Moving on may actually be a great way to push the grief aside.

Don't let anyone try to keep you from dating and moving on with your life. You'll end up living with regret and loneliness. To anyone reading this who has lost someone for our country, I pray that you stay strong. I pray that you find/have found happiness again. Thank you for loving and supporting our armed forces.

Thank you to all the men and women who serve this great nation. God bless!!

R.I.P. Gunnery Sgt Ralph E. Pate

1981-2011