[23skidoo]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

Thanks okie.





Looks like I'm up for a while too. I'm sooo tired I thought maybe I could sleep, and got a couple hours, but the nightmares had other ideas.

I'm here sweetheart if you'd like to talk.

[Geeorge]

[Lone_Wolfe]

Originally Posted by Geeorge

What's wrong Geeorge?

[Lone_Wolfe]

Originally Posted by engineer151515

Yes.

<<< will catch some Mardi Gras beads for LW.

Just tell me where to send them.

You're going to the Mardi Gras? I'm jealous, but not of the crowds. I'm doing my own version of Mardi Gras tonight, I'm getting drunk.

[engineer151515]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

You're going to the Mardi Gras? I'm jealous, but not of the crowds. I'm doing my own version of Mardi Gras tonight, I'm getting drunk.

Well, Mardi Gras rather comes to me.

I live one block over from a parade route in these parts.

[Geeorge]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

What's wrong Geeorge?

Just wondering if you was paying attention



had to shovel out my driveway after getting home from work at 6am,8inches of that nasty white stuff

[Lone_Wolfe]

Originally Posted by Geeorge

Just wondering if you was paying attention



had to shovel out my driveway after getting home from work at 6am,8inches of that nasty white stuff

Of course I was paying attention to you.

Nasty snow, I don't want to see that stuff, except in pics.... I'd offer to help you shovel it if I could.

Words have meaning. Think of how many people visit your thread every single day just to let you know they're thinking of you. That's a groundswell of support for you from folks who haven't had the opportunity to spend time with you, who realize you're a humorous, driven, special, lovely lady who risked life and limb in the service of her country and damn near had her ticket punched.

I've been mulling over how to say this for quite some time and thought others were saying it better in your thread plus I was worried it would bring you to tears which is never my intent. I suspect Greg was a little like me. He felt protective of a lady. He saw you get shot and went after you to protect you. It was fate that chose who lived that day and who died. He wasn't trying to impress anybody he was doing what comes natural for a man who respects a lady.

You deserve that respect. I know his decision has caused you great pain but it was his decision to make. He gave you the gift of your life. Please accept that gift in the spirit it was given. Honor him, praise him, but don't wish to trade places with him. I think he would be upset with you to learn that has been your desire at times. Ask yourself this. Had the situation been reversed. Greg had been shot and you instincively went to him with the same outcome, would you not have wanted Greg to live his life to the fullest? Accept his gift to you, keep a special place in your heart for him, and honor his sacrifice by living your life out as a decent caring human being. Show the world that you are worthy of Greg's gift as I and many others know you to be.

This was sent to me privately and for that reason I’m keeping the author’s identity to myself and I hope he isn’t upset that I paste it in here. I’m doing it because I want some feedback, I wonder if I’m off base with my thoughts on this..

I’ve been letting this stew for a few days in my pre-sentient lizard brain and have a few (in)coherent thoughts on this.
The thought of Greg doing what he did just because I’m a woman bothers me more that thinking he would have done this for anyone, man or woman. I’ve often heard the opinion that women shouldn’t be in combat. Now I was never in a combat MOS, but I found myself in a combat situation simply by asking for and getting the OK to ride in a convoy. When the MRAP I was riding in was disabled by an IED I was told to stay down, along with a man who was older than me and outranked me, and was also a non-combat MOS. That was Greg. Several young infantry types jumped out of the vehicles to form a perimeter to protect the two of us as we ran from one MRAP to another. When I was hit at first the only reaction was that our side started shooting too. In the time I was conscious which was close to a half minute no one came out to me, thankfully. Greg, the medic, etc stayed behind cover. I don’t guess I’ll ever really know what made him decide to blow that cover.

I just sit here and wonder why sometimes and so often wish he’d just stayed down and let what was meant to be happen. Maybe the fire fight would have ended in time for the medic to be able to help me, maybe not. I just wonder how Greg would have felt if the situation had been reversed if a woman died trying to save him. He didn't come across like that mattered, but I only talked to him for 3-4 hours total, so I could be wrong.

It’s easier to think of finding a way to honor him and what he did than it is to do right now, but I’m looking toward that goal. It would be wrong for me to do anything but. Just like it would be wrong to throw away all the help given to me in here. Yeah, I guess he would be upset to hear the things I’ve thought and said. I wonder if he would say them too.

[Brown Hawk]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

...

I’ve been letting this stew for a few days in my pre-sentient lizard brain and have a few (in)coherent thoughts on this.
The thought of Greg doing what he did just because I’m a woman bothers me more that thinking he would have done this for anyone, man or woman. To be honest, I dismissed this as a possibility a long time ago, going by your description of the timeline. It's still my opinion that something else triggered his move, the top possibility of which is bullets landing close to you. I’ve often heard the opinion that women shouldn’t be in combat. Now I was never in a combat MOS, but I found myself in a combat situation simply by asking for and getting the OK to ride in a convoy. When the MRAP I was riding in was disabled by an IED I was told to stay down, along with a man who was older than me and outranked me, and was also a non-combat MOS. That was Greg. Several young infantry types jumped out of the vehicles to form a perimeter to protect the two of us as we ran from one MRAP to another. When I was hit at first the only reaction was that our side started shooting too. In the time I was conscious which was close to a half minute no one came out to me, thankfully. Greg, the medic, etc stayed behind cover. I don’t guess I’ll ever really know what made him decide to blow that cover.

I just sit here and wonder why sometimes and so often wish he’d just stayed down and let what was meant to be happen. Maybe the fire fight would have ended in time for the medic to be able to help me, maybe not. I just wonder how Greg would have felt if the situation had been reversed if a woman died trying to save him. He didn't come across like that mattered, but I only talked to him for 3-4 hours total, so I could be wrong.

It’s easier to think of finding a way to honor him and what he did than it is to do right now, but I’m looking toward that goal. It would be wrong for me to do anything but. Just like it would be wrong to throw away all the help given to me in here. Yeah, I guess he would be upset to hear the things I’ve thought and said. I wonder if he would say them too.

The best way to honor those who died is to live, heal, move on with your life, and at times, share. As you've said before, if the positions had been reversed, that's what you would have liked Greg to do, plus maybe hoist a beer occasionally. And going from your descriptions of him, I think that that is what he'd want.

And again, you're forgetting the good you've done in this thread for people, as if this isn't a part of your life and can't be counted. Yeah, you've gotten a lot of support, but you have also given a lot. And some of the best is the example of your openness in discussing what happened, your problems, and your struggles. More than anything else, that example has helped and will help people.

Because people having problems tend to keep them bottled up, and your example of opening up helps them open up - probably not on the internet, but to friends, doctors, etc. There are over a hundred pages here showing people helping, opening up themselves, helping you and others, finding little things like heating pads and kittens that will help someone hurting.

You will never know how many lives this thread has helped and improved, because some of the people it has helped have never even seen the thread. Like ripples in a pond. You say that you don't say everything, but you don't need to. What you have said is enough to have people helping you and others. It has kept this thread going, touching others in ways you can't conceive, simply because you are continuing to live your life and are sharing the struggles that that entails.

Love, prayers, lots of gentle , and cradling you as you sleep.

Hawk

[engineer151515]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

The thought of Greg doing what he did just because I’m a woman bothers me more that thinking he would have done this for anyone, man or woman....

I do not have an answer. Instead, I offer this for Sunday morning.

God,
Grant me the serenity;
To accept the things I cannot change;
The courage, to change the things I can;
And the wisdom, to know the difference.

It is an admission that an answer may not be available. And a prayer for strength to move ahead with that knowledge in mind.

[Geeorge]

Got the shoveling thing down,I enjoy chucking it as far as I can.

I'd let you sit inside in the upstairs window with the cats and watch,ladies don't get to shovel at my house

You would be busy enough shoveling away all my BS

[Geeorge]

Forgot,sorry

[Brown Hawk]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

...
The thought of Greg doing what he did just because I’m a woman bothers me more that thinking he would have done this for anyone, man or woman. ...

I commented on this earlier, but was running out of time to elaborate.

That kind of reaction is a gut reaction, and with the two of you running to safety, I have always thought that he would have turned on a dime and tried to get you then. He didn't do that. He went to cover where his training and reason told him that he and the others had the best chance of defeating the ambush and then getting you to safety.

I think that whatever sent him out would have sent him out for anyone in that situation, for that is the type of man you have described.

Love, prayers, lots of gentle and cradling you as you sleep.

Hawk

[Buki192327]

Hi LW!!!!

Sorry I have been missing in action lately. They have been working me worse than a dog. The had to battle a foot of snow to get out to go to work yesterday. Just glad there wasn't more snow, and wasn't much ice. I know that is not your type of weather.

Prayers are continuing for your well being and continued healing, my friend.

for you.

[Lone_Wolfe]

Originally Posted by Geeorge

Got the shoveling thing down,I enjoy chucking it as far as I can.

I'd let you sit inside in the upstairs window with the cats and watch,ladies don't get to shovel at my house

You would be busy enough shoveling away all my BS

What a gentleman! Well I would do my assigned job of rubbing the cats very well, I assure you.

Originally Posted by Buki192327

Hi LW!!!!

Sorry I have been missing in action lately. They have been working me worse than a dog. The had to battle a foot of snow to get out to go to work yesterday. Just glad there wasn't more snow, and wasn't much ice. I know that is not your type of weather.

Prayers are continuing for your well being and continued healing, my friend.

: kiss: for you.

Sorry to hear they been abusing you at work, but at least you've got work.

The snow, Ugh!!! No, I wouldn't be able to stay up there now. Maybe I'll get back some tolerance in a couple years.. back at ya

I'm staying busy today, sorting through boxes picking out the stuff I want to get rid of. A friend who's getting what I don't want is here doing all the lifting and pulling, tugging, etc. Seems like a fair deal to me....

[skorper]

Originally Posted by Brown Hawk

The best way to honor those who died is to live, heal, move on with your life, and at times, share. As you've said before, if the positions had been reversed, that's what you would have liked Greg to do, plus maybe hoist a beer occasionally. And going from your descriptions of him, I think that that is what he'd want.

And again, you're forgetting the good you've done in this thread for people, as if this isn't a part of your life and can't be counted. Yeah, you've gotten a lot of support, but you have also given a lot. And some of the best is the example of your openness in discussing what happened, your problems, and your struggles. More than anything else, that example has helped and will help people.

Because people having problems tend to keep them bottled up, and your example of opening up helps them open up - probably not on the internet, but to friends, doctors, etc. There are over a hundred pages here showing people helping, opening up themselves, helping you and others, finding little things like heating pads and kittens that will help someone hurting.

You will never know how many lives this thread has helped and improved, because some of the people it has helped have never even seen the thread. Like ripples in a pond. You say that you don't say everything, but you don't need to. What you have said is enough to have people helping you and others. It has kept this thread going, touching others in ways you can't conceive, simply because you are continuing to live your life and are sharing the struggles that that entails.

Love, prayers, lots of gentle , and cradling you as you sleep.

Hawk

Truth is invaluable, but words of wisdom such as this even more so.

[Lone_Wolfe]

Originally Posted by skorper

Truth is invaluable, but words of wisdom such as this even more so.

It's certainly something to think about, which I'll be doing later. Kinda busy still, which is good. Cranky and distracted is better than the usual demons.

Hiya Skorper, how ya doing?

[sawgrass]

I wish your cranky behind was here sorting through sh**,stuff.

So, I'm wondering, is that skorper in his avatar?

Wolfe, how about this game. I'm pulling for the Saints, just for you.
I wish the Vikings were beating the Colts, but oh well.
I'm pretty sure I've been disappointed more by the Vikes, than
all of my friends and lovers put together.

Thinking about you. BALANCE...
Sawgrass

OK, 40 seconds to go. YEA SAINTS!!!!

[skorper]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

It's certainly something to think about, which I'll be doing later. Kinda busy still, which is good. Cranky and distracted is better than the usual demons.

Hiya Skorper, how ya doing?

I'm fine, thanks for asking! How are you?

[Lone_Wolfe]

Originally Posted by skorper

I'm fine, thanks for asking! How are you?

Same as I was earlier, but now I'm glad the Saints won.

Originally Posted by sawgrass

I wish your cranky behind was here sorting through sh**,stuff.

So, I'm wondering, is that skorper in his avatar?

Wolfe, how about this game. I'm pulling for the Saints, just for you.
I wish the Vikings were beating the Colts, but oh well.
I'm pretty sure I've been disappointed more by the Vikes, than
all of my friends and lovers put together.

Thinking about you. BALANCE...
Sawgrass

OK, 40 seconds to go. YEA SAINTS!!!!

I'm not so sure you'd want me there, I've gone without decent sleep for so long I'm pretty delerious by now. Not to mention cranky. Hey, at least I got to see the last quarter of the Superbowl.

So what's the Balance point?

[sawgrass]

Balance..., preaching to you, listening for me.
Life..., what can we take, how far should we push it?
Wolfe, we have one body.

PM sent, maybe...

[Lone_Wolfe]

Originally Posted by sawgrass

Balance..., preaching to you, listening for me.
Life..., what can we take, how far should we push it?
Wolfe, we have one body.

PM sent, maybe...

One body.... Wish I could ask for a new one.

PM not received.

[DScottHewitt]

May the Puvia guard your rest and drive the nightmares away.....




And, if you can't sleep, pop in a good DVD and fix some popcorn.....

[Lone_Wolfe]

Cool pics, Scott. Thank you.

Originally Posted by engineer151515

Well, Mardi Gras rather comes to me.

I live one block over from a parade route in these parts.

I do not have an answer. Instead, I offer this for Sunday morning.

It is an admission that an answer may not be available. And a prayer for strength to move ahead with that knowledge in mind.

I'll bet it got noisy there this evening. That party's probably still going on.

That's something I pray for that has eluded me so far.

[23skidoo]

Originally Posted by Lone_Wolfe

Cool pics, Scott. Thank you.





I'll bet it got noisy there this evening. That party's probably still going on.

That's something I pray for that has eluded me so far.

You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for.

[GlockerMike]

Wish I had a way with words for ya. Here are some pics to distract you anyway..............