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Altogether Lovely
Pleasant Words * Gracious Living * Culinary Hospitality
From Sea to Shining Sea
January 13, 2021 by Cindy Filed Under: Blog, So Says Cindy
The unmistakable sound of Queen's quintessential anthem, "Another One Bites the Dust" lured me outside on a beautiful Monday morning in paradise. I crossed through the damp grass, slid past the blooming fuchsia hedge, and followed the pounding beat toward Pearl Harbor. Soon, the unmistakable colors of Old Glory came into view, swirling in the sun-soaked Hawaiian sky and hovering high above the deck of a Naval vessel. I walked to the water's edge and waited for the grey behemoth to emerge. By now, the music had segued into Thin Lizzy and "The Boys are Back in Town," and before long, the USS William P. Lawrence came into full view—gliding through the water proudly and purposely. It was Homeward Bound!
The crew, clad in trademark white, lined the length of the guided-missile destroyer. The sight made my heart swell and the tears flow.
For these patriots and the loved ones awaiting their return, this journey through the canal marked the final stretch of a deployment that would end with the most heartwarming of all military milestones —homecoming.
This reunion, like countless others, would likely be characterized by tears, long-awaited hugs and kisses, immeasurable pride, enormous relief, and unimaginable joy.
I watched and waved, filled with genuine happiness for these strangers and their families—an excitement borne from the kinship of a fellow sojourner and nomad who has walked in their shoes a time or two.
This brief diversion was a welcome reprieve from the chaos and discouragement of current events weighing heavy on my heart.
Sadly, America—the Shining City on the Hill—has lost a little of its sheen. It's been scuffed up by bitter divisions, swirling animosity, fringe factions of evil, toxic partisanship and disrespect.
It's disheveled, fractured, imperfect, and filled simultaneously with heroes and villains
the righteous and corrupt,
the unifiers and agitators,
the selfless and selfish,
the faithless and faithful,
the far left and the far right,
And an abundance of people in the center of these extremes who embrace firmly held values and moral convictions that are, all too often, ridiculed and maligned by those with opposing viewpoints.
In our pledge we claim
One nation.
Under God.
indivisible.
-but clearly we're still a work in progress.
As I watched the ship pass by, I couldn't help but think that the men and women on board represent the best of America, and the finest values of our Republic.
No matter the domestic turmoil, the political chaos, or the charged rhetoric, our proudly diverse military is single-minded in its mission to protect and defend America—when it's good,
when it's bad, and
when it's ugly.
Unfailingly, unceasingly, and with uncommon courage, they preserve our freedom, they safeguard our liberty, they protect our precious rights — even when we forget who we are and what we stand for.
Our brave service members put their lives on the line because the foundational principles of our independence— religious freedom, equality, diversity of thought and speech, and the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—are worth fighting for.
They are worth dying for.
And many have.
So, even in the midst of our national turmoil, I will not despise nor ridicule our flag, nor the land it represents. I will keep believing in the dreams of our forefathers; the promises of our Heavenly Father; the beauty and blessing of American citizenship; and the hope for a future where our land is bright "with freedom's holy light."
And I will never cease to thank God for those who don our nation's uniform. They stand shoulder to shoulder, from sea to shining sea, as vanguards, sentinels, wingmen, and battle buddies protecting and defending this flawed but glorious land that I love.
Military Spouses: The Ultimate Survivors
May 8, 2019 by Cindy Filed Under: Blog, So Says Cindy
I've been a fan of the TV show, "Survivor" since its debut 19 years ago. Each season, I get drawn into the exotic destinations, the adventure, the struggle, the relationships, the competition, and the amusing —and often diabolical— display of human nature and game-play. It's a guilty pleasure, for sure.
One of the recurring features of each season is the "family visit" episode. For the uninitiated, this takes place about a month into the 39-day, outwit-outplay-outlast competition; it's a reward for the remaining tribe of castaways who have managed to keep their torches lit and stay in the game. By this point, they're tired, battle-weary, emotionally depleted, and more than ready for some TLC. Year after year, as I watch this mainstay episode, the tears flow as siblings, spouses, best friends, parents, and children of the players emerge and, one-by-one, are reunited with their loved ones. Hugs, kisses, tears, smiles, words of affirmation and exhortation abound. And I join in the celebration— rejoicing with their joy — as if I know them.
This season's "family visit" episode was last week. I watched it a few days ago with A Certain Flyboy, who is also a seasoned fan of the show. He's seen my act before, so was not surprised to see the waterworks from his sentimental bride. He said to me again, what he has said before: "They've been apart 30 days, Cindy. You've endured 30 days —and more— countless times over the years – without a million dollar payday. Most people will never understand that kind of sacrifice."
Preach, my man.
But, I cry with them because I understand. After 30-plus years in this nomadic Air Force life, I know what it's like to miss, and to be missed, and what it's like to experience the bliss of a sweet reunion.
The picture above popped up in my feed this week. It was taken a few years ago as I welcomed my man home from Afghanistan. He had spent the better part of three months deployed in preparation for this assignment, and then was gone nearly 13 months. We saw each other nine days in that time span.
Nine days.
So this sweet reunion was much-anticipated, long-overdue, and filled with hugs, kisses, smiles, tears, words of affirmation, and joy. We had survived.
This Friday our nation will recognize Military Spouse Day.
Deservedly so.
Almost daily, I'm reminded of the toll that separations have on families, and the tremendous strength required for military spouses to endure weeks, months, and years apart from their loved ones. There is no million dollar payday for this kind of survival and, too often, not nearly enough gratitude.
But this life of service, with its hardships and demands, produces unsung heroes of uncommon grit, grace, love, devotion, determination, resilience, and pride.
To those military spouses who are in the midst of a deployment — I know you may feel like you're stranded on an island. You may feel like a lonely castaway. You may be tired, battle-weary, and emotionally-depleted. But know this:
You are appreciated.
You are loved.
You are strong.
You are prayed for.
You will survive.
And when you post your reunion pictures, I will cry with you, and rejoice with you, and celebrate with you as if I know you.
You're on my tribe, after all.
So Says Cindy
Hi, I'm Cindy
Nomadic military spouse living with "A Certain Flyboy" in our 23rd duty station - this time in the beautiful land of Aloha.
Rabid college football fanatic, wordsmith, woman of faith, confectioner, ballroom dancer wannabe, & purveyor of loveliness.
Mahalo for stopping by.
"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things."
Phil. 4:6-9