Pass In Review

                The week before Frank’s Pass In Review Ceremony (Graduation), I had many lessons and many tests. Do not assume, do not drink too much, do not park on side streets, do not do this or that. Tuesday I went to the dentist to get 2 cavities filled, and I am deathly afraid of the Novocain needles. Wednesday I signed a lease for an apartment in Columbus for 6 months with my best friend, starting in January. Wednesday night, my 11 year old Yellow Labrador, Buford, was put down because he was old and couldn’t move anymore… That was difficult.

                Wednesday night I pack my bag for London and PIR. After I was finished weighing my big suitcase half a dozen times, I loaded my car, and came back inside to bid my dogs goodbye (I would see my family later that weekend). I couldn’t find Buford. I asked Cole where he was. At any rate, I left the house looking like a raccoon. I had eye makeup all over my face.

                The drive to Chicago was bearable. The wait the next morning was bearable. The temperature in the big building was torture! I was in a lacy blue dress with a white ribbon around my waist, accented with the blue and gold division ribbon that I made a couple weeks ago.

                After waiting 2 hours, a few band songs, a march of flags, and a couple trips to the bathroom, the big doors to the auditorium opened wide and the sun shone through. Division 321 marched in to the beat of the strong drums sounding throughout the hall. Once 321 and 322 passed, 323 came marching in, and I spotted Frank within seconds. He looked perfect.

                The whole ceremony I just stared at him. I was in the 4^th row of bleachers, in the isle for a hasty escape. Some important people gave speeches, sailors got awards, and Chief Ditimius prowled up and down the rows of his division. After veterans stood up to be recognized, Frank spotted us. He stared at me too. Careful not to crack a smile so Chief didn’t see. Although, near the end, when officers started to evacuate the building, and liberty was about to be called, I jolted my head around sharply in all directions to see what was going on. I looked like a child waiting to open presents on Christmas morning. Frank saw me react, and I saw him grin. I grinned back, and then he made a full on smile, eyebrows raised. They called “Liberty”. I ran. He ran. It didn’t take long to get to him.

                We only had 8 hours together that Friday. But with the help of his parents, and his sister and fiancé, something special happened at a park. He popped out a glorious diamond ring and asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes. I’ve only ever wanted to be married to a military man, and it was even better that is was Frank, the love of my life, my sun and stars, you know.

                Looking back on the proposal, I cannot help but laugh, as we were stalked mostly the entire time by his mom, who was attempting to drop eaves and snap pictures from across the water. I am blessed and glad we are loved so dearly by our families, but I feel that an engagement is a private affair. The wedding is the social part! We posed for classic purposal pictures to post on facebook, here, and to show our extended family.

                When we left the park, I was walking by Bill and said “Hi Dad”. He gave me the “I am going to kill you look”. And we both laughed.

                The rest of the day was great, we all hung out until it was time to leave for the base again. Bill and I dropped Frank off around 6:30pm and went back to the hotel after a disappointing visit at the Navy Exchange. I did not get to sleep until 11:30 or so, due to repacking my big suitcase so everything fit and it wasn’t over weight… I woke up at 3:25, frantic because I had overslept by 25 minutes. I made up for lost time, left my room at 3:30 (the scheduled departure time) and still looked like a babe in a black dress, tan scarf and leather boots. We didn’t leave the hotel until 3:45 though…

                We spotted Frank in a sea of white sailors and walked over to him. We worked our way through security and found a restaurant to have a spot of breakfast. Wolfgang Puck is not exactly fabulous. Saying goodbye was not super difficult as I was extremely tired and just wanted to go to sleep more than anything. I know we have a great future ahead, and can talk almost every day now. The hard part is over.

                I am at my gate at Chicago O’Hare, waiting for my turn. This is the start of the next page in my chapter of college. I am on my way to London England for 3 ½ months. And it looks like I have to start planning a wedding. Where do I get a cask of wine? Or five. 

Recruit Training Command

I said "good-bye" to my Sailor Recruit on July the first of the longest summer of my life. It was gently raining that day as I hugged him tight, and proceeded to my car. It poured as I drove off towards my destination.

The first two weeks went by without a ray of sunshine. Northeastern Ohio poured rain for days with no sign or hope of it stopping. The silence was as steady as the rainfall. I busied myself with as many activities and friends as I could, but nothing can fill the void of that he left.

The weeks pressed on and people got more and less interested in my life. "Are you ok?", "how are you doing with Frank gone". I am fine and I don't want to talk about it. I didn't like talking about how I felt, because no one but people who go through this understand. People would comment or ignore on my life's status'. Either way, I don't care what others do or thinkof me, I just worry about me and my SR.

On Saturday July 13th, I was getting ready to mow the lawn (my favorite household chore). I walked into the house to grab the mower key and as I was walking outside to the mower, my ringtone was sounding from the machine. I knew who it was. I sprinted to the garage, and answered the call from Waukegan, Illinois. The call lasted 15 minutes but it was the best 15 minutes of the past two weeks.

Frank said he had gotten my letters and he loved reading them. I should expect letters to arrive in the mail on Wednesday of that week. I stalked the post woman that day.

On and on the days went, the next slower than the past. I powered through my online summer classes, awaiting my final exams the next weekend.

The third week was dragging, on and on and that Saturday, Frank's grandfather passed away. I was at his' parent's house on Sunday when they got to call him and give him the news. He did not take it super hard, as he was not close to his grandfather, he was worried about his dad's well being. I told him to stay strong and to carry on in boot-camp like a brave little toaster.

Little did we know he would be allowed to attend the funeral that was taking place in Milwaukee, Wi that Friday. His parent's had already left the following morning, so I packed my bags Thursday night, took a Math final in Elyria, then drove out of Ohio, through Indiana, through Chicago (in rush hour) and up to Milwaukee, without an Air Conditioner in my car. I think I lost 5 pounds the entire drive.

I arrived at the hotel where his parents were staying, checked into my room, and started to take my online Astronomy final. I finished around 10pm, then I got ready for bed.

I slept 3 hours.

We left the hotel around 5am to pick Frank up. It was pouring big fat rain. Once we figured out where he was on base, we found him, standing there in the rain with a backpack, heavy raincoat, cracker jacks complete with the Dixie cup hat. He climbed into the cherry red Mercedes and smiled at me while his RDC said in a stern masculine voice with arms folded across her chest "don't be late". We gave each other our "dear god" look. 

I wasn't sure what to say. It was surreal to have him sitting next to me. His parents gabbed and bickered a bit about directions. We got breakfast at a small place near base. 

The weekend was great. Well, as great as it can be when attending a funeral. I met some of Franks family, had a nice meal, got teary eyed during the funeral service, and held my SR's hand for 36 hours. I don't think I ever let go, willingly. 

Frank wanted a small pocket Bible to take back with him. He said all of the ones there are NIV and are lame. He likes the King James Version. So we got that at Barnes and Nobles after a slice of cheesecake and coffee at Cheesecake Factory. We also bought Q-Tips and a tank of gas. 

Saying goodbye was just as hard, if not more hard than the first time. Although, this time it wasn't raining. 

It is now August 19th, and the countdown is getting shorter. It is almost time to leave for Graduation. It's gotten harder for me to write letters, with time constrains and lack of words to say. I know he is doing well. I expect a phone call Friday. 

Bootcamp will soon be over, and the next journey will begin.

Housekeeping

Frank and I may not yet be married, but I wanted to name the Blog "Life of a Sailors Wife" because it Rhymes and sounds cute. So, once we are married (when ever that is) I will be sure to let you know.


It was sometime in mid-April 2013 when Frank first went to see Petty Officer Fel (I am not sure if I should put his full name, I don't want to break any rules of sorts) to inquire about a position in the United States Navy. I was currently in Mansfield, preparing for my final exams at Ohio State University when Frank called to tell me that he was planning on going to MEPS in Cleveland the following day (which was a Friday).

I was really excited for him and encouraged him to go but to be careful because they are persuasive and to not sign up for anything he didn't want to do. So he went, he got a physical, he picked a job, and he signed two papers stating that he volunteers to work as a sonar technician on a Submarine in the US Navy.

I am Student Jozlyn Parker, reporting live from Ohio (for now) to tell you about life as a girlfriend of a United States Sailor. My sailor is SR Heckel  Frank and this is our story.