I am proud of Lucretia

My lovely wife of sixteen years graduated first in her class at one of the world’s best schools of nursing, Johns Hopkins University.

She did this while being a wife to me, a mother to our three children, and a friend to the many people of our extensive social circle. She led the way for a class made up of mostly twenty-somethings, almost none of which had any other responsibility than to get through school. She was recognized in front of the entire school for her achievement, and I have never been prouder.

She is going to make a TERRIFIC Air Force officer, and an even better nurse. She’s already the best wife a man could have, and our children are growing up healthy, happy, smart and good lookin’, mostly due to her efforts. She’s an irresistable force AND an immovable object at once.

Also, I should mention that while she was roaring along at full throttle through her academic career, I was on temporary duty to Saudi Arabia, Tampa, Florida, Panama City, Florida, MacGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, and I had several months of 12-hours-a-day shift work while I fought two wars. This left her alone, a single parent to THREE school-age kids, and trying to somehow stretch a slim buck to the next payday. She not only did all that, she maintained a loving household for our kids to thrive in, and for me to come back to whether I was gone for months, weeks or hours.

Wow.

After four long, hellish years, we have to figger out how to live an entirely new life. No longer are we single-mindedly pursuing that dam’ sheepskin, and not every waking hour has to be filled with care and worry about how to buy $165 textbooks AND new kids’ shoes for school. I am a bit stunned, and I’m sitting here at three in the morning wondering at it all. Seems dream-like.

Or maybe it’s just fatigue. This week of graduation has been the longest month of my life! Exhausting and exhilirating…immense pride; keyed-up waiting to her commissioning ceremony*; anticipation of a new assignment (MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida - Central Command HQ); the thrill of being home-owners for the first time in our lives; and just a sense of relief…and accomplishment.

How did a joker like ME ever rate HER? She’s my intellectual equal, and I think she’s mentally tougher than me - I couldn’t do what she just did, and I KNOW that. She loves me as fiercely as I love her, although I can’t imagine why. Her honor and integrity are as precious to her as mine is to me, and there is no greater patriot, ready to give all for her country.

As Hopkins’ #1 graduate, she could command six figures in a hospital of her choice in a couple of years. Instead, she is subordinating herself to a rigid and tough career (no, actually, it is more than a mere career - it is a profession unlike any other - the Profession of Arms AND of Humane Service to Others), where she will no doubt be buffetted and tossed by forces beyond her control, that may take her to the worst places in the world, and that have the potential to actually kill her. She does this out of a sense of obligation to our country, and a desire to serve something bigger than herself.

Her life with me thus far has been one of privation and sacrifice, and she has NEVER ONCE complained, or asked for more than was possible for me to give her. She is frugal and mature with what little we’ve had, and she has made an art of the ‘economy of the household’. It has hurt to see her ‘get by’ with so little, and to be so stoic about it, never showing the least concern for not being able to dress, live or ride in a style above our meager means.

Now that we have the potential to FINALLY make a try for the Brass Ring, she would rather give back than take.

Folks, I don’t care if all that seemed sappy and I don’t care who knows that I love that woman more than my own life. I can’t think of a more profound blessing to bestow on anybody than this:

May all of you be as happy as me.

*Lexington Green, Massachusetts (chosen for obvious historical signifigance; apologies to our British Brothers ), July 26th, 11AM. Reception at the Hanscom Air Force Base Officer’s Club immediately after. This is an ‘all-hands’ invitation to any Doper that would like to attend.
“You are now leaving the American Sector” - Sign at Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin

Besides being the first Doper to ever hug me, I always thought Lucretia to be the sweetest of people. And now I learn so much more - no wonder you’re proud!

I know your entire family will do great, but I think it stinks that you’re deserting the MADs so soon before I move up there. Obviously your priorities are hosed up! :stuck_out_tongue:

You two make an adorable couple and I’m glad I’ve met you. Best of everything as you move onward and upward in life!

Lucretia, we are also very proud of you at our house. You and Bluesman are our favourite couple, and I hope that Dave and I are as much in love after we’ve been married as long as you.

Congratulations.

I’m proud of her too. I know how difficult it is to be the spouse of an active-duty-type military person – especially when there are children in the case. AND, going to school, too. Good for her and good for you, too, Bluesman. because I know (again from experience) that your support of her – even when you weren’t physically present – has been invaluable to her. Muy congratalatories to you both!

Congratulations, Lucretia!

Bluesman, that was beautiful. :slight_smile:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

(And that was a beautiful tribute, Bluesman!)

You have every right to be proud, she sounds like a remarkable woman. Congrats!

Damn, that’s cool. Congratulations to you both!

Awwww, jeez. :o Thank you, sweetie. The truth is, like Jess said, I couldn’t have done it without you. And if I’m a good officer, it will be because I have the example of the best of the AF NCO corps in you.

And we mean it when we say all dopers are invited to my commissioning! It’s gonna be a helluva party!

Will you still sit in my lap?

Super friggin congratulations on kicking high falutin’ ass at Johns Hopkins! Damn, woman!

Say, if you and bluesy and me and Geo ever break up, look me up, huh?

That was one of the finest, most moving tributes to another human being I’ve ever been privilged to read, Bluesman. If anyone doubts what miracles “ordinary” people can wrest out of courage, self-sacrifice, grit, determination, honor and plenty of love, you and Lucretia must give 'em cause to reconsider.

Good on both of ya.

Veb

Sha, like that’ll ever happen. You’re stuck with me, bub.

Congratulations, Lucretia. I’m proud to know you. You’re a fine example in every way I can think of, and I’ve always viewed your marriage with Bluesman as one to emulate. I love how proud you are of each other, and how much in love you are after all this time.

Congratulations!!

That was so moving Bluesman. Thanks for sharing!

Well done, sir. Well done.

That’s one hell of an accomplishment. Send her my best.

Congratulations to both of you. :slight_smile: You are both very lucky to have the relationship you demonstrate here.

~J

Thanks, folks. I just hadda get that out there, because it was filling up my heart.

I appreciate everything y’all wrote, and I know Lucretia does, too.

A special note to our good friend Jess:

You’ve walked this walk, too. And when you say “congratulations”, you know what awesome weight is contained in those fifteen letters better than anybody that hasn’t had the toughest job in the world: military spouse. Thank you and Kevin both for your service.

Holy shit. This is a feat unto itself if you have no life whatsoever. Hell, this is a feat unto itself if you are a medical damned TEXT.

I think I have a new hero. Y’all did get the email I sent last month, right? I think she’ll get a kick out of it. I can re-send if need be.

As for the reception, I’d love to be there with my honey, but alas Massachusetts is one hell of a ride away and we still have a lot of other stuff to plan for:)

Bluesman and Lucretia, you are two of my favorite posters and I liked both of you a thousand times more when I met you in person. Not only are you obviously in love with and turned on by each other, not only are you kind and funny and brilliant, but you have absolutely beautiful, kind, smart children, which speaks volumes to me about who you are.

A million congratulations to you, Lucretia, for an absolutely mind-blowing achievement. I am truly touched and awed by this whole thread. sniff

Amazing congratulations, Lucretia, for an outstanding academic feat and for your committment to serve.

standing ovation

Congratulations Lucretia!

And a better tribute was never written, Bluesman, I felt like applauding or crying at the end.

We’ll most likely be down in the Tampa Bay Area in July, so if there’s the chance to meet the both of you I’d be honored.