Deep breath.
“Rupert” is on a plane to an Army base right now. He told me to be strong, not to be sad, and I’m trying but this is pretty rough.
I woke up this morning and promptly began bawling. Listened to him take a shower and shave, and cried some more. Watched him get his things together and cried yet more. Watched him say goodbye to the dogs and heard him tell them to be good, and barely kept any composure I had left. We stopped for breakfast on the way to the airport and I managed not to pour tears into my scrambled eggs but it wasn’t easy.
No reason to describe the airport goodbye. I don’t like to sob in public but I did it today and I’m not ashamed.
The agony is in the loss of all the “small” things, which really aren’t small at all, like going to bed and waking up together, watching him sit on the floor and play with the dogs, day-to-day conversations about the grocery list and the news. Living with your best friend and love of your life is a beautiful thing and is made up of all those mundane details, and I will miss it all profoundly.
But you can’t feel sorrow like this without truly loving someone, and I figure, it’s worth it. I know it is, and I feel incredibly lucky to adore someone so much that his absence feels like a hole in my soul.
He told me something the other day that hit me right where I needed it to. He said that he left the small town he grew up in because he wanted to make a mark on the world, wanted to accomplish something great with his life, and knew he wouldn’t be able to do that by staying home. And the same force is in play now; he’s been given an opportunity to do something that can have a real impact and has real meaning, and it is something that he can be proud to tell of when he’s old.
I want him to feel that way, to do the things that let him feel like he’s leaving his mark on the world, so letting him go without freaking out is what I must do. I can’t bear the thought of him worrying about me and whether or not I’m maintaining back here at home, so I plan to spend the next year doing exactly as he asked me to do: looking ahead, keeping my sense of humor and the homefires burning, and believing that everything will be all right.
Also, sending him so many care packages that he’ll eventually beg me to MAKE IT STOP.
The good news is that I don’t have to worry about his safety for another few months. He’ll have several days of in-processing and then weeks of training, and then a 5-day pass to come home before he ships out to Iraq. That‘ll be the truly horrible goodbye. More good news is that he’s kept himself in shape in the 10 years since he got out of the Army the last time, so the PT won’t kick his ass like it might some. And, he’s a commissioned officer, so living conditions and such won’t be as bad as the last time he was deployed to a war zone, for the first Gulf War.
Speaking of, it turns out it’s a GREAT thing that he never resigned his commission. He knows another guy who did resign his commission and then got called back through the Inactive Ready Reserves. Which means that guy is now an enlisted Sergeant instead of commissioned Captain. Talk about tough shit. Jesus.
So, Rupert’s doing what Rupert’s got to do, and I’m so proud of him that I can hardly stand it. He’s a good man, decent and kind to the bone. Every single morning since he moved in with me last summer, he got up before me, made coffee and brought me a cup, and sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through my hair for a few minutes simply because he knows I love that more than anything. He’s just that kind of man, generous with everything he has, including giving up all the comforts and love of home to go to a shithole place and help solve a problem caused by shitty people.
I’ll admit that I have some rage about this whole situation. The same rage I felt when my brother was camped out in the Saudi Arabian desert for nine months because of bad people on the other side of the world. There’s something spectacularly offensive to me about it being necessary for someone I love to give up so much, including possibly his life, because people in backward cultures can’t take care of themselves. I know it’s more complicated than that but it is the gist of it.
But that’s a conversation for another day. Today, I’m concentrating on keeping it together so that Rupert’ll be proud of me. It truly, truly is the least I can do. All I’m missing is Rupert; he’s missing me, his home, his family, his career, the dogs, normal food, comfy bed, most other physical and emotional comforts, a social life, on and on and on. You know? Deployed military people give up so much, so much more than most of us will ever fathom.
Rupert reminded me to keep my sense of humor about all this, so I’ll close on this note: I hereby declare March 23 as Punch A Hippie In The Nuts Day. All you have to do to celebrate it is find a hippie, ask him how he feels about the military, and if he says anything other than “I love it because those guys make it possible for me to be a worthless hippie”, punch him right in the nuts.
Hippies have nuts?
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 pmRachel — I know that there is not one, solitary, damned thing that any of us can say to alleviate your sadness - and, believe me, all of us would love to be able to do so. However, rest assured that we’ll all be here for you to shout at, vent to and abuse in your own wonderful style. And we’ll try to be here for you when you need us.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:52 pmI believe that Rupert is a good man; and that he is doing a good thing (one that the vast majority of “men” in this country are no longer capable of doing). He may, indeed, do great things, but remember; “everybody wants to do something great in their life, not realizing that life is made of many small acts of greatness”. I know that God will keep Rupert in His hands while he’s gone.
And now, I’ve got to go find a hippie to smack in the nuts!!
God Bless Rupert, your brother, and the people they leave behind. They do great things, helped by the love ones that keep their spirit alive. Let the OD-ing of care packages begin! And here all I had to worry today was how to answer my niece’s question of how the easter bunny was involved with Jesus resurrection. I have no idea so yeah, I lied. (What? She’s only 5, it’s not like they remember at that age, right? Right?)
I hereby declare March 23 as Punch A Hippie In The Nuts Day.
That’s sure a lot more active than just wearing those backward-evolution-liberal-diagram tee shirts.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:52 pmYou want us to wear brass knuckles during this punching, or is that optional? ‘Cos this world would be better off if hippies couldn’t reproduce.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pmI can’t say it any better than Bill just did. Take care, keep your chin up, and know that you and Rupert are in our thoughts and prayers.
And yeah, some hippy is gonna get his nuts pounded.
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 pmRachel, bless your heart, I too wish I could be there to give you another shoulder to lean on. I’ve been on both sides of the deployment experience and it sucks either way.
I don’t know if I can find a hippie around here, they all tend to keep a low profile, this being a largely active duty military / retired military community.
I actively hate the emoticon thing and virtual hugs make me want to puke, yet I feel compelled to send you one anyway. Hold your nose if you need to.
{{{{Rachel}}}}
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:20 pmI was wondering how you were doing today, Rachel. Thanks for sharing.
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:24 pmGreat post - great idea for a way to celebrate March 23rd! I was where you are a few years back when my g/f got shipped off to the sandbox. She spent a few months in WA state training first, so I was sort of used to her being away from home before she was really away from home. So leaving her at the airport after her two week leave halfway or so through was much harder for me.
The other day I was in line at the local post office - not even the one I went to where we used to live where I sent out lots of care packages - and the memories came flooding back. You never know what will remind you of “that horrible time.”
Time will go both slower and faster than you think it will. Thank God for IMs and webcams!! Blogging really will help to and the support you’ll get is invaluable.
Hang in there!!!
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:32 pmPunch a hippie IN DA NUTS, Captain Rachel, SIR! YES, SIR!
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 pm“Courage is doing what’s right, even when it sucks.”
– Shane
I commend Rupert, and you, for what you are both doing for your country, as well as some third world idiots who can’t take care of themselves.
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:41 pmHang in there, Rachel. We’re here anytime you want to vent.
All I have do is go next door to find my nearest hippie. She doesnt have nuts though, at least I don’t think she does. Her opinions of the military are well known though. Will a bitchslap and mocking comment about her feral armpit hair growth suffice?
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 pmOh yeah, and I’m to find a hippie.
“Heeereee…hippie hippie hippie hippieee…!”
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 pmJust… wah!
And, Brava! to you for your selfless courage in helping him to go forward in the knowledge that you’re for him and his mission.
Thank you, both.
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:51 pmVery nice post. I’m going to print it out and give it to my wife so she can be ready for the next time I go overseas.
Your story about the guy who resigned and was dragged back in as a sergeant doesn’t pass the smell test. If you resign, then you’ve resigned. There would essentially have to be a draft to bring someone back who is no longer in the IRR or is not on the retired list.
And unless Rupert has been drilling or otherwise participating, then it sounds to me like he was in the IRR.
And they don’t make people sergeants that way. What qualifies a former officer to be a sergeant? Totally different training requirements in most cases.
I think you got some stories mixed up. The only way I can think that this might have happened is if a warrant officer reverted to his enlisted rank. Warrant officers and limited duty officers often have temporary rank and they maintain their prior enlisted rank as their permanent rank. That is, if someone is enlisted, say as a sergeant, and becomes a warrant officer, or a limited duty officer, he takes that rank as a temporary rank. His permanent rank is his enlisted rank and continues to get promoted in that permanent rank while he also can be promoted in his temporary rank.
But for most officers, they cannot normally be demoted in the way that you describe.
[Entirely possible I got details mixed up and it wouldn’t be the first time; I was overhearing Rupert tell about this guy while someone else was talking to me at his going-away party in IL. I just remember him saying something about the guy’s rank being screwed up because he’d resigned his commission and then went back in — in fact, it’s possible Rupert said the guy went back in voluntarily…? I admit I was kinda drunk at the time too. - RL]
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:08 pmAs a 20-year Navy man, I can tell you it means a lot that people like you are supporting the troops, by being as strong for Rupert as he is for you.
Found this today in the local San Diego paper. Another reason why dogs are better than people
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080322-0808-nubs.html
Take care, Rachl Lukis
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:11 pmRachel,
Read your post. Had a good cry. Then had a good laugh. Will keep you two in our thoughts and prayers!
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 pmi like the layout
maybe because it’s so similar to the old one.
you’ll get through it, because you’re strong, and i think it’s sweet and really cool that you love this guy so much. i’m bad with words.
chin up, hon, but cry when you need to. nobody’s going to fault you for it. i would punch a hippie in the nuts just for you but i’m in a red state, so….there’s really not that many around for me to punch.
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:24 pmA suggestion if I may. Don’t forget those long mushy hand written letters. One folded up in the pocket closest to your heart helps see a soldier through some tough times.
Rupert and the rest of the folks in the military are always in my thoughts and prayers.
You might try dressing the hounds in military paraphenalia for their photo shoots. Kind of a crossing threads thing.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:08 pmMy husband and I are 8 months into his third deployment, all while I’m living in the very foreign country in which he was stationed prior to the deployment. Let me tell you something. You may think you’re a strong person already, but the next year will prove to you just how strong you are and just how strong your relationship is. And please, for the love, don’t ever be ashamed to cry. deployments are shitty and and the toughest person I know would still cry every now and then. Good grief, I stood alone sobbing in a parking lot at 11pm while I had to watch him walk away, also crying. And he’s the biggest, strongest, toughest man I know.
Furthermore, it sounds like you’re going into this with a good attitude. It sucks, but we do it because we love our significant others and the dedication they have to our country and those who cannot defend themselves. Your support is what will make it just a little bit easier for him to get through each day. And the cookies. The cookies help too.
Best of luck, and I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the military. Know his unit, his FOB, his social, and his Commander’s name. Have him get you in contact with the unit’s FRG (Family Readiness Group). I’m sure you know that old School House Rock saying “Knowledge is power.” Well it’s true.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 pmI can’t say it better than it’s already been said, but I have a rare day off so I’ll find a couple of hippies to punch in the nuts in celebration of the new holiday.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:36 pmYay! Hippie nut-punching! I’m going to raise it to an art form.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pmI hope it’s okay, Rakil Luksisez, but I modified the protocol slightly.
1. When I see a hippie, I don’t even ask for his opinion about the military. I simply smash his nuts. I feel that this is a real time saver.
2. I use a cricket bat rather than my fist. This way, I cover more territory (if you get my drift) and I get needed cricket practice.
So far, 34 hippies with swollen nuts have crawled to the ER at Mel and Ned’s Flat Testicles Clinic.
I plan on expanding operations to include anyone of whose jib I do not like the cut.
Meanwhile, keep your chin up, Rakil. A year seems forever now, but it will pass. [Easy for me to say, I know.]
If you need a good cry….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBiRmyUsJ8w
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 pmRachel, I’ve been where you are (when I was on active duty, my fiance got deployed to Bosnia) and I’ve been where Rupert is right now (Just got back from Kosovo in November and been away from my loved ones for a year and a half), so I know how both of you are feeling. If you ever need to chat - EVER - just drop me a line: nicki_f (at) comcast.net
Nicki
BTW - it’s not that I think I’m any better qualified to make you feel better about this than the people you know, your friends and your family, because I doubt anyone really can. But I might be able to provide some perspective or lend a completely objective ear as a total stranger. It’s actually easier to talk to total strangers sometimes.
Oh, and I thought EVERY day was punch a hippie in the nuts day… WTF? Was I wrong?
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:21 pmI knew hippies were nuts, I never dreamed they actually had any. How ’bout we just rub dog shite into their ears and noses? God Bless you and Rupert.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:27 pmRachel, declaring March 23 as Punch A Hippie In The Nuts Day on March 23 is simply not fair! those of us in Australia, where it is March 24, have to wait a year - you have to allow at least a days notice or you risk missing half of the worlds hippies. still, I can spend the rest of this year pre registering my targets…
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:30 pmMy brother was over there for both gulf wars and got back last summer from his second tour in Afghanistan.
So here’s a few suggestions for the care packages.
Books & magazines (as someone once said being in a war zone is long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror)
A portable CD or MP3 player with lots of tunes (for dramatic impact burn a CD of his favorites and sneak in a track of family and friends saying hi, I’d leave out the gushy girl stuff his buddies might get a hold of it ;-))
As Allen said above letters and photos let him know how things are going at home.
Candy and other non perishable snacks (no chocolate it won’t stand the heat)
A good flashlight (small maglight or a LED one, try and find one that has a red lens cover)
Leatherman tool or similar if he hasn’t got one (get a quality one no Chinese junk)
This stuff depends on if it’s available close to where he’s stationed, but getting it from home is a big plus.
Disposable razors
Shaving cream
Soap
Tooth paste
Baby wipes (for a quick clean up when a shower isn’t available)
Sun screen
Hand cream (Avon Skin so Soft is popular as something in it keeps sand fleas off)
Insect repellent
Band-aids and other little first aid stuff
Foot powder
Instant coffee and/or tea
Flip-flops
Small sewing kit
Batteries (for CD player, flashlight ect.)
Disposable lighters (even if he doesn’t smoke they come in handy)
Thats all I can think of for now. Remember he will be home sooner than you think, it just feels like it’s longer.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:35 pmBest of luck starting out with this deployment, trust me when I say, it does get easier as the time progresses and then it gets impossible as the time gets short.
I shall NOT punch a hippie because I refuse to acknowledge their existence. I like to ignore the problem of anti-American Americans existing. I am happier in my own little world, everyone knows me there.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:35 pmRupert sounds like a great man Rachel, you found a terrific guy. And I’d guess it is a huge comfort for him knowing he has such an equally great woman at home, missing him like no tomorrow.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:51 pmI’m willing to pack up and send some serious care packages Rupert’s way! Hang in there. Looking forward to reading about your reunion when he returns!
I don’t understand how hippies are the reason he’s heading to Iraq. But I’d gladly punch W and Dick in the nuts.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 pmYou know Rachel, You’re now part of a very important part of American History. Ever since the Revolutionary War, American women have lived the day you had today, sending off a man they love to war, hoping for the best, fearing the worst.
They, like you, kept the home fires burning, and if I may, kept the fire in his heart burning.
After all, YOU are what they’re fighitng for, the reason they fight so hard,the reason they’ll win. You are what makes it worth to fight in the first place.
Take your honored place among the loved one’s of the US Military. A couple hundred years ago, Martha Washington had the same kind of day you had today. With hard work, luck and love, Rupert will return to you soon, so you can live out the rest of your lives, proudly knowing that you shared this experience, and made a difference in the world.
Godspeed, Rupert. Be strong, Rachel.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pmA year goes by quickly, at least for the Soldier. My nephew, a Marine and my son, a Paratrooper, come home next month fo their pre-deployment leave. One to Iraq and the other to the Phillipines. Yeah, big party, they will be home at the same time. Even drunken miners don’t party like Cajuns with access to crawfish.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pmI’ll add ‘Rupert’ to the ‘prayer list’.
It’ll be okay you know.
I’ll pray for you also.
On the PAHITN day, can we get a week? No hippies here and now I have to go do my yearly thing for the Army Reserve. I’ll be hard pressed to make time to hunt one down in the next 7 days.
Thanks for the post. I believe Kick a Hippie in the Nuts Day makes two great holidays close together. March 20th can be just as good!
That said…good luck to you. Unless something changes, it’s only a matter of time before my wife has to do the same. Instead of dogs I play on the floor with our four kids.
Just remember you are not alone.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:29 pmOi. Lukis. Don’t have a hippie here now, but when I see one, one who really makes me forget my manners, I got one “for you.” Then I’ll make sure it’s okay and breathing and such and then set it back on its way. So much more humane.
Feel your pain, meimei. We’ll get through it, and on to the next day.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:32 pmRachel, In honor of “Ruperts” sacrifice…I shall walk with a balled fist in an eternal quest for a hippie and his nuts. May Rupert return as healthy as he left. God bless him.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:44 pmI am officially hippie hunting then.
We’re with you in this as much as we can be. Thank God for Rupert and men like him. The world needs more cowboys like him. “Cowboys” is a reference to my WWII vet grandfather that died last year. It refers to good men of character, and I believe Rupert deserves the title. From me, it’s a heavy one.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:48 pmAh, Rachel - my heart hurts for you….but not as much as hippie nuts, when I get through with them.
p.s. I think this deserves a full week, not just a day.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:16 pmWhat about female hippies? You know, Cindy Sheehan, Code Pink, all that lot. They don’t have nuts. Where should we punch them?
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 pmDL from Heidelberg, great first post.
Snarkilicious!
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 pmChicagoCindy wrote:
Rachel never said they were, Cindy. There are plenty of other reasons to punch them in the nuts. I can’t speak for Rachel, but I suspect that she was thinking of this and this and this.
People who express hatred and contempt for the military should expect hostility from those of us who have friends and loved ones in uniform.
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:51 pmShane, that’s not how you call a hippie, the proper way to call a hippie is;
“Anyone want to help me burn one?”
This phrase should pull in tons of hippies, I’m not real sure on the ethics of baiting them though.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 pmI would also like to suggest that after punching a hippy in the nuts say “that’s for Rupert”
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:11 pmLeave them in pain and bewildered.”who’s Rupert?, and what did I do to him to deserve this?”
I’m w/ lance on this one..
Too many hippies…and people w/ poorly cut jibs. Thus the balls are being flattened.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 pmGod Bless you both for being the folks you are. Rachel, I know it is hard, but I have to give you the one leaving’s perspective. It is an utter bitch.
Leaving your Wife and kiddies behind to go to a combat zone is the worst feeling EVER….
You know you are doing the right thing, but it still hurts like hell.
I’ll be praying for you both…. always.
Jim, in MN
BTW… what part of MN did you live in? I am SE in Wabasha…. Rochester kind of area.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 pmAnd I’ll cheerfully hammer a few hippies in the nut sac in Rupert’s name, too.
Former NCO’s consider this a duty they cannot ignore!
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:40 pm*hugs* really cant say anything other than that at the moment(tears make it hard to type)I cant say I know exactly how you feel but close..I think breathing is the hardest part for me..just gotta remind myself to do it on the bad days heh.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 pmYou both are always in my prayers.
Boy, did I ever just miss an opportunity. Been in Portland and off the web for a few days, and so missed the Hippie Directive. Portland is, well, I would say ‘awash’ with hippies, but the word ‘hippie’ and ‘wash’ haven’t been speaking to each other for a looong time. Man, that place is crawling with them - like cockroaches. AND Obama was in town while I was there. The local news coverage of it was fawning and sickening, and the ‘man on the street’ interviews they had with the people who went to see him made me turn the tv off, set the remote down and back slowly away, or else I would have thrown the remote through the screen. Since it wasn’t my tv, that would have been very rude to my host.
Saw a bumper sticker this weekend that said ‘Keep Portland Weird’ - there’s so much sad truth in that, I can’t even tell you.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:09 pmI wish I had gotten the marching orders about the hippies last week, as I was in California (and as you know, produce is always cheaper closer to the source).
The high point of my trip was getting to spend some time with my buddy Jerry who’s redeploying to Iraq next week. He’s a Combat MP; they travel around the country a lot and can sometimes check up on folks for those at home - I’ll forward you contact information when I can.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 pmRachel, my aunt has watched 3 of her 4 sons deploy to Iraq, and all 3 have returned safe and sound and none the worse for wear. She (and of course their wives) were nervous as hell most of the time, but they got through it ok, as of course will you. As I’m sure others in the thread have already said, his job is to kick enemy ass, your job now is to stay strong at home for him.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 pmI would like think of something erutdite to say (you know,smart and shit). But at this time “smart” is insufficient. I can’t write jack that will make you or Rupert consider anything that hasn’t been hashed-through in detail.
A relative of mine is on his third tour of the ME. A similar situation to Rupert. It kinda puts a crimp in your style when the long arm snatches you from retirement.
Que Rupert vayase con Dios. Nos esperamos tu reunion con tu novio.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:58 pmA knee is a lot easier and more effective.
March 24th, 2008 at 12:02 amI just bought an awesome flashlight that has 5 white and 1 red LEDs, controlled by two different buttons. It’s very compact, and comes with a carrying case that will attach to a belt.
Once you get ready to start sending care packages, publish a mailing address and I’ll send one. Or I could send money and give the name and model number, whichever is easier.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:13 amG-dspeed, “Rupert”.
Every soldier should have a Rachel waiting at home.
Around her hair she wore a yellow ribbon
March 24th, 2008 at 1:14 amShe wore it in the spring time, in the early month of May
And if you asked her why the heck she wore it
She’d say she wore it for her soldier who was far, far away
Far away
Far away
She wore it for her soldier who was far, far away
Hang in there, Rachel
Rupert, kick some butt and come home safe!
March 24th, 2008 at 1:29 amI’d be lying if I said I was particularly good at finding reasonable things to say at times like this, but I’m going to take a stab at this anyways.
First, I’d offer you my condolences, but Rupert isn’t dead and, unless he’s deployed to Washington DC or something, is statistically less likely to die out there than he would be if he was deployed in your native Texas, so I will instead wish that he and everyone else over there returns quickly and victoriously. I also offer my sympathy for what you’re going through, and definitely think that, based on what I’ve read in your comments section thus far, there isn’t much more I can add here, practically speaking. Actually, I take that back - based on everything you’ve told us about Rupert, I’m extremely happy he’s on our side… and not on theirs. I suspect he would be an incredibly formidable foe indeed.
Secondly, regarding your “Punch the Hippies” campaign, I have no problem with the general spirit of that. However, due to years of working in the IT industry, my upper body is woefully underdeveloped. On the other hand, due to numerous road trips in a truck with no cruise control and a pair of server-proof steel toed boots, I can be quite threatening from the waist down. Consequently, I ask for your indulgence - instead of punching hippies, would you mind if I just kicked a few?
Thirdly, I have a funny Portland hippie-related story. The one and only time I visited Portland, I was wearing a shirt that said, “I have issues.” While wandering around downtown Portland, a Greenpeace girl walked up to me with some sort of petition. I didn’t pay much attention to her and indicated that I wasn’t interested in signing it, which led to her replying, “Y’know, the world has issues, too!” My response? “Tell me about it!”
Okay, it wasn’t that funny, and I wasn’t that witty, but, if you were there, rest assured, you would’ve had a good laugh. I think.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:14 amRachel,
After reading this blog I can sympatize with you as I spent 2 years (04-06) in Iraq and know the heartache of being separated from a loved one. I also can truely understand Ruperts desire to be part of something. I am proud of my time and accomplishments in Iraq as I know he will also. It always reminds me of my favorite quote from Shakespear’s Henry V Crispian’s speach:
“This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’ Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’ Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember with advantages What feats he did that day: then shall our names. Familiar in his mouth as household words Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.
Rupert….God bless and God speed
March 24th, 2008 at 3:17 amMiss Lucas: You can tell Rupert that he has definitely made an impact on people. I can’t succinctly make my point because there is so much going on in that entry…beyond just him going to the sandbox.
Rachel…you have yourself a very, very fine man and while this won’t be the easiest, you can go to sleep each night knowing that this man has and will continue to improve the lives of those around him; dearest to him and those he doesn’t even know.
You have a job now and you will do it well. Thank you to Rupert and thank you, Rachel.
March 24th, 2008 at 3:26 amRachel,
Best of luck to both you and Rupert. It will be tough, but everything will turn out ok. Don’t ask how I know, I just do.
Oh, by the way. Before I read your blog today, I had already punched a hippy in the nuts. Do I still get credit?
March 24th, 2008 at 3:38 amRachel,
20 years ago today, I met Cathy, my wife. Thank you for reminding me how lucky I am, every day, to share my life with her. I guess March 23 is now “count my blessings AND punch a hippie in the nuts day”.
I second everything that’s been said above. I wish I had more to offer, Rachel, I really do. For what it’s worth, I consider you a friend, even though we’ve never met. You have my e-mail. If you ever need anything, just ask.
Finally, a word of caution. Word has gotten out about your March 23 initiative. A new group, the Hippie Nutsack Liberation Front (a.k.a. Code Purple), has been formed to resist our efforts. Fortunately, they are hippies, so their “resistance” consists of lodging protests with the UN. My contacts there tell me that the Security Council will issue a statement tomorrow condemning you, your blog, and Israel.
More ominously, and apropos DL’s comment, the HNLF has asked the EPA to designate Hippie Nuts an endangered species. Hard to argue, that. But the practical implication is that punching a hippie in the nuts will soon require an environmental impact study, which is awfully time-consuming and expensive. So if you’re of a mind to transform a few spheres into pancakes, you’d better get cracking.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:48 amThank all of you soooo much. If you ever wonder if comments like these actually help in a tangible way, trust me, they very much do. I think you’d be surprised how comforting it is to have this virtual support system.
Bonwick - LOL. Code Purple. lololololol
March 24th, 2008 at 7:23 amRachel Lucas,
March 24th, 2008 at 7:31 amRupert is awesome, and you’re awesome for how supportive you are. I love you both. And I hug you through the interwebz, however cheesy it may be.
Why bother a hippie? Boot a few Muslims instead. They are the ones directly responsible for this idiocy.
And take that damn headscarf off the dog. It’s demeaning to dogs!
March 24th, 2008 at 8:44 amYou know there’s nowhere they can send me where I won’t be watching out for your safety & happiness. Chin-up, Sweetness. I love you.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:49 amThat made me cry. I remember when my first husband, oh so many years ago was sent to Turkey for a year. God, I thought I wouldn’t get through it. I was 3 months pregnant too. Amazing how strong we can be when we need to be.
Godspeed to your Rupert.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:50 amThank you Rupert for your honorable and selfless service to our nation. And thank you Rachel for sharing this with us.
I didn’t read this until today, so I missed “Punch a Hippie in the Nuts” day.
Can I make up for it today? I have to venture down into South Austin later today (78704? Yes, it is just an area code) — so finding a hippie to punch in the nuts should be pretty easy.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:05 amRachel - my ‘comfort food’ recommendation during this time - it got me through my husband’s military time away - a box of Mystic Mint cookies and a gallon of whole milk. For dinner. Just not too often or Rupert won’t be coming back to Lil’ Rachel. But in moderation, this is a buttkickin’ stress reliever.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:15 amMy Wife Kim says that Bryer’s Icecream made my deployment more bearable. And the neighbors who stuck a glass of wine in her hand, every time she went next door..
About the Hippies. That’ll be a bit hard, because they hide alot better. They seem to have donned camo in order to make money in the stock-market and keep jobs. Anyone have any TTPs on how to spot a well-hidden Hippy ? Right now, I’m operating off of the content of the bumper-stickers on their Volvos.
March 24th, 2008 at 10:51 amhmmm…I must tell hubby about the hair caress move. Sounds intoxicating.
Maybe you can train Maggie to jump on the bed and paw at your head. Just for a temporary replacement. I know my Trooper Bear gets daddy’s spot when he’s gone.
Hang in there! Rupert is an excellent man. I can just tell because you wouldn’t be with a crappy man. He is serving our country in a way I could only dream about.
Be sure to let us know where to send the care packages.
March 24th, 2008 at 11:34 amOne of my lottery dreams is to buy a Volvo and plaster it with conservative bumper stickers, just to piss other Volvo drivers off. And I’ll get in the fast lane and drive 15 miles under the speed limit like they do, so they have lots of time to read every slogan.
March 24th, 2008 at 12:10 pmRachel,
As a former soldier, I can assure you that nothing says “I love my trooper” like hearing your name called at Mail Call, and care packages are all kinds of extra fantastic.
Even if its stuff he already has five each of, send it anyway. There’s always some poor soul he can pass it on to, who will treasure it, and the Legend That Is Rachel will grow =)
Since I am a day late, I will endeavor to punch not one, but two hippie nutsacks to make up for my failure.
Keep yer chin up.
March 24th, 2008 at 12:25 pmI’m not really sure how to start this off, but I feel compelled to comment on this blog just because I can relate to it so well.
I guess I’d like to start with thanking “Rupert.” He is doing an amazing thing. He is a hero. There isn’t much more to it than that. It takes an extraordinary person to make such a sacrifice for ones country.
I’d also like to give you hope, because my brother is leaving Iraq for US soil on April 3rd. He will be home by the 14th. It was hard, I’m not going to tell you that it will be easy and you will be okay, but you will get through it. Like you said, you have to be strong for him.
I’d like the reccomend marineparents.org as a great place to get ideas of what the soldiers need in their care packages. I’d also like to reccomend really getting involved with supporting the troops. My sister and I ran drives to send neccessities over to my brother’s batallion, her from her business and me from my college.
Staying active is the best thing you can do in a situation like this. I’m sure you already know this, but try and spend as much time with your friends and family as you can. Plan trips and try new things. Just don’t ever let your mind stop.
And now from the other perspective that made this hit home in my heart. My boyfriend is moving completely across the country to persue a dream he has had since he was a child. I will be staying here persuing my own dreams. I know how it feels to be torn between having to let go and wanting to hold on for dear life, but I know that if you love him as much as you describe in your blogs, you will be okay. And I think I will too.
Good luck to both you and “Rupert,” I am thinking of you.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:28 pmKeeping Rupert in my prayers. Also keeping my nuts covered.
I’m no hippy, but I’m not stupid either. ;-P
March 24th, 2008 at 1:33 pmGood hunting, Soldier. Come back safe and sound. Keep strong Rachel.
March 24th, 2008 at 1:37 pmThe Husband and I went through seven deployments, three RimPacs, and countless mini-maneuvers during his Navy career. It never got easier to be separated, but it got more tolerable as time passed.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:28 pmKeep the communications flowing and it goes a lot better. Best of luck and good voodoo to both Rupert and you.
Rachel, you wrote a beautiful post. Congrats on your strength and sense of humor.
Rupert, thank you for your service. Your comment at 9:49 a.m. made me teary-eyed.
As for care packages, please count me in. At the moment, I’m having fun sending car pr0n (magazines) to a friend who’s on his third visit to Afghanistan. Oh, and he didn’t object to the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue
March 24th, 2008 at 2:37 pmHippies don’t have nuts: fact.
Crap. Someone else said that earlier. Oh well. Rachel you and Rupert are in my bestest thoughts, and I’m so proud of you both for very different, yet similar reasons.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:50 pmThank you both for your service and sacrifice.
Also, thank you for your efforts to ensure that hippies will NOT reproduce, now, or in the future. And I agree with what Robert said this morning:
“…Boot a few Muslims instead. They are the ones directly responsible for this idiocy.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:24 pmI would suggest that this effort of preventing hippies and other idiots from reproducing be officially instituted for the entire length of Rupert’s deployment, but I feel sure that HE will take care of booting the muslim terrorists himself!!!
Damn, I am gonna cry and I hate crying. You make me realize how I really feel about my guy. Like how much I appreciate how my guy who I call the “Blond Guy” makes my coffee. And what a terrible void there would be if he weren’t in my life today. I am such a better person for just knowing him. Damn, damn, I am going to have to find a very special way to remind him that he IS the love of my life. Thank you, so very much Rachel
March 24th, 2008 at 6:23 pmHi, Rachel,
Had a hard time deciding to respond to this. Everything has been said. I am a Vietnam combat vet and my son-in-law is in the Army. He has been to the sandbox twice and Afganistan once ..so far. After reading the comments to your message, I am not only proud of you and “Rupert”, but of all the wonderful people who are supporting you both. God bless all of you and Godspeed to “Rupert”.
March 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pmNae gentle dames, tho’ e’er sae fair,
Shall ever be my muse’s care:
Their titles a’ arc empty show;
Gie me my Highland lassie, O.
Chorus.-Within the glen sae bushy, O,
Aboon the plain sae rashy, O,
I set me down wi’ right guid will,
To sing my Highland lassie, O.
O were yon hills and vallies mine,
Yon palace and yon gardens fine!
The world then the love should know
I bear my Highland Lassie, O.
But fickle fortune frowns on me,
And I maun cross the raging sea!
But while my crimson currents flow,
I’ll love my Highland lassie, O.
Altho’ thro’ foreign climes I range,
I know her heart will never change,
For her bosom burns with honour’s glow,
My faithful Highland lassie, O.
For her I’ll dare the billow’s roar,
For her I’ll trace a distant shore,
That Indian wealth may lustre throw
Around my Highland lassie, O.
She has my heart, she has my hand,
By secret troth and honour’s band!
Till the mortal stroke shall lay me low,
I’m thine, my Highland lassie, O.
Farewell the glen sae bushy, O!
Farewell the plain sae rashy, O!
To other lands I now must go,
To sing my Highland lassie, O.
My Highland Lassie,O.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:22 pmRobert Burns
Rachel,
Thank you for the wonderful post about your relationship with Rupert. It warms my heart to know that love is indeed real.
The most wonderful gift resulting from this post was in reading a response posted by my sweetheart (Roberta). It is her voice I hear when I read your writing. She is the love of my life.
She gets credit for turning me on to your blog, by the way.
Now, let me at those America hating hippies?
March 24th, 2008 at 9:41 pmRachel,
March 24th, 2008 at 9:45 pmI know it’s hard–been there before in Gulf War One (90-91) and again in the Afganistan area before I retired. I always had the comfort of knowing I had someone to come back to and their support allowed me to focus on getting the job done and coming back alive. As long as Rupert knows you are supporting him 100%, he can focus on getting the job done so he can come back to you. There’s nothing sweeter than the homecoming and time for rediscovering each other. Hopefully that thought can provide some comfort to you–and give you something to look forward to when his tour is over. My thoughts are with you two. God bless.
Please be so kind as to post the second annual “Punch A Hippie In The Nuts Day” (also known as the day Rupert ships out to Iraq).
March 25th, 2008 at 2:27 pmToughest job in the Army.
(USN Ret)
What a nice tribute to your husband. Wishing you and him the very, very best.
March 25th, 2008 at 9:22 pmAll of you folks asking about the ethics of hippie-baiting and the proper days for punching or otherwise attacking their nuts aren’t looking at this correctly. Hippies are a form of varmint, and therefore have no set season. And baiting them is just fine. The best way to do so may be to fake up a blunt, tie some nylon fishing line to it, and drag it through the appropriate section of your town (you’ll already know where that is.).
March 26th, 2008 at 3:23 pmSorry I missed this post the other day. Since this is RachelLucas.com, I can use the f-word, right? THAT WAS FUCKING BRILLIANT! Coming from a military family, I know a lot about what you’re feeling right now.
Since I missed “punch a hippie in the nuts day” on 3/23, can we expand the concept and declare that henceforth April is “Kick a Hippie in the Nuts Month?”
March 27th, 2008 at 7:53 pm