Been There, Done that... my experience at Parris Island, SC

Been there, Done that, got the bumper sticker....

As you may know, this is a week that my family and I waited for a very long time. 13 weeks, to be exact. I actually did get a bumper sticker... it says, "My brother fights for our freedom... He is a U.S. Marine", and a yellow ribbon magnet for my car "Keep my brother safe". We made a little ceremony out of putting the magnet on my car, when I got home, (Mason and I did). I'm actually going to make the bumper sticker a magnet, too. Here is my account (in a nutshell) of the three days we spent at Parris Island, SC, while we were there to pick up our new Marine, PFC Tim D.

What I expected: a nice setting, but drab, military buildings...
What I got: Sunrise, AND Sunset views while driving over the bridge coming and going to Parris Island. Marsh lands, but beautiful with the sun reflecting off the water.

What I expected: a brief look at military life.
What I got: the constant echo of "Aye, Ma'am!" or "Aye, Sir!" ringing in my head, even 7 hours after we left. A piece of a culture that I will always carry with me. The feeling that I should be marching in time.

What I expected: my little brother turned man.
What I got: a very lean (I'm talking slim), matured man. One comment from him, "When I was upset at someone, I just thought 'Marine Discipline', and walked away". Maybe I need to take a lesson.

What I expected: pride in one of my baby brothers.
What I got: In addition to my pride in my brother- I found more pride in my flag, my country. I've always been pretty proud of being American, but as the colors were brought forward during the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony, I found myself crying as I thought of all the men and women who've paid a price for those colors. And their families. And I thought, "I BELIEVE in this country, what it stands for, and that flag; because my brother is willing to lay down his life for it."

What I expected: a little emotion at the ceremonies.
What I got: a lump in my throat that doesn't seem to go away. The lump is the pride and tears of pride I feel for him. I think it might be there for a couple days, at least.

What I expected: Tim would be happy to see us.
What I got: a tear sliding down his cheek, while he hugged our mom for the first time in 13 weeks. I don't know if she saw it.

What I expected: an emotional Graduation ceremony.
What I got: a nice, formal Graduation ceremony with pretty nice weather. A very emotional Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony- a shining moment for Tim, and the feelings of my patriotism for this country and love for a brother, bubbling up.

What I expected: a new Marine, ready to chow down.
What I got: a new Marine, ready to chow down. He grabbed that bag of Doritos so fast, I couldn't believe it. I scored a home run by supplying Twix bars and Snickers. His first meal of choice, off base- a Subway 12" pizza sub. Another new female Marine had the same idea, as she and her family came in shortly after.

What I expected: a new-found pride in my changed family.
What I got: a kinship with families all across the country. As I sat through both ceremonies, I thought of the families of the 1 million previous Marines, as well as the military families acrosthe country. I feel like I am a part of something bigger. "The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." (See Matthew 6:20).

What I expected: a smooth, relaxing visit to see and pick up our new Marine.
What I got: a action-packed, not so relaxing visit to see and pick up our new Marine- Complete with the usual family bickering. To which, while we were bickering under a big oak tree, with our picnic of hot dogs at the rifle range, Tim said, "I've missed this soooo much. "

What I expected: a changed Tim.
What I got: a changed me.

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