Traces

Grandpa

Gram

trace¹ (trs)
n.

1. a. A visible mark, such as a footprint, made or left by the passage of a person, animal, or thing.

b. Evidence or an indication of the former presence or existence of something; a vestige.

I walked into the house after my first day of competition for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and it seemed like an eternity since my family had left. When in fact, Adam had just taken them to the airport that morning. As I crept away at 4:30AM I kissed my mom and Adam good day, gave the dogs a scratch and knew my gram and grandpa were still fast asleep upstairs. After a long morning of driving, a dip in the pool, cheering my Soldiers on for the gold and sweating to meet the requirements I too had to meet, I was finally home. But, it felt so lonely after weekend with my mom, gram and grandpa. The roses given to my mom and gram were still in the vase, wilting just a bit. Grandpa's ashtray was pushed to the side of the table with his almost empty coffee cup beside it. And the umbrella gram was perched beneath in her wheelchair trying to keep from getting wet as Adam pushed her through the rain was hanging on the banister slightly open. I couldn't wait for Adam to get home...

Where do the thanks begin...

Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Newest Inductee

Unfortunately my Soldiers missed the most important part of the SAMC Induction Ceremony. The part where I get to thank them...the speech recited from my heart went a little something like this:

To SSG Edwin Velez-Rivera (now Warrant Officer) I am blessed to have had such an example as my very first NCOIC. My successes in the Army have been because of your belief in me and the standard to which you expected me to perform. As a PFC you and SGM Martinez were getting me ready for the SAMC Board.

At this time I need to thank my Soldiers for working so very hard each and every day. Not only on protocol support, but just being good people. These Soldiers show up on time, complete the mission sometimes by my side and sometimes without my supervision. I trust them completely with the ability to complete any animal mission requested by our veterinarians or PI's. But, not only do they have the technical skills to accomplish the mission, they have the heart to go above and beyond by participating in Soldier of the Month, Quarter and Year Boards and all enrolled in college classes or correspondence courses. I thank SPC Bratton for her dedication and loyalty to her friends. For her ability to always be true to those she is closest to and always looks out for their best interest. To SPC Benford for taking on responsibility and taking the intiative to look out for the well being of everyone and to be the one who speaks out on behalf of those who are afraid to and communicate effectively by always being respectful and holding the feelings of those who might be hurt by the truth close to your heart. I have an enormous amount of respect for you, your aspirations and the belief you will accomplish all that you set your mind to while making a positive difference in the lives of every Soldier you come in contact with. To SPC Mourning my sincere gratitude for your courage to try out for the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge and getting me to do it with you. As you move on in your Army career I hope you continue to volunteer for these kinds of activities. These activities are what make the Army fun and promote comraderie and remind you that you do in fact love the Army. Keep this in mind during your time and you will motivate many Soldiers and build a better relationship which will then promote more trust and your ability to be a leader to those Soldiers. SPC Gomez, SPC Craighead, and SPC Driscoll thank you for the laughs. You made work fun and eventful. I appreciate your humor and your overall ability to bring such joy to our work environment. Also to all of the Soldiers in VetMed and those throughout the Army who are currently raising young children your sacrifice of selfless service can be matched by nothing else. You are truly dedicated to the Army.

To my NCOIC's many thanks. SGT Berry, thank you for your unconditional friendship and support. SFC Smith, thank you for the discipline, good fun and laughter. SFC Grabenbauer thank you for patience and active listening skills. I have learned so much from each of you.

I'd like to thank SGM Rorrer-Sosa for being so approachable and having a kind energy that makes Soldiers feel at ease in your presence.

To 1SG Graham and MSG Lyle, thank you for your support.

I need to thank my two mentors CPT Michelle Peacock (AKA: Major Marvelous Michelle) and CPT Todd Bell for teaching me BY EXAMPLE how to better manage my time and to organize my life. And also for keeping me grounded during the time I was without Adam.

I need to thank SSG Long, SSG Moses, SSG Santiago and SFC Van Loon for believing I had what it took to become a member of the SAMC. To SFC Van Loon for making me promise to attempt it after my National Certification Examination. To SSG Long who questioned me on 6 mile runs, during lunch, training breaks etc., etc., etc... (HE WOULDN'T STOP I TELL YA!!!) and also for staying involved in the process of my becoming a SAMC member even when he was at ANCOC in Fort Sam Houston, TX. To SSG Moses for sponsoring me in SSG Long's absence and for staying here on his leave for an extra two days to support me in this endevour. To SSG Arbenz my best friend here at WRAIR. For always being there when I needed a shoulder to cry on or someone to put the pieces of my life back together when I thought it wasn't possible.

SPC Kersting for always pushing my buttons. Without your sarcasm and relentless criticism I would not be the NCO I am today. I have missed you more than you can imagine. I didn't know the workload you placed on yourself and your attention to detail as you went about your daily tasks. You left no little task undone. I didn't find out until you were gone just how smooth the days and protocols went by because of your dedication to the mission. You will certainly be a good leader because of your dedication to do a great job and your ability to motivate those around you. Continue the outstanding achievements in Japan.

SPC Swails for your kind words and kind actions. You are an inspiration to me and the junior enlisted Soldiers and NCO's you work with everyday. Your dedication to your work, your family and your personal relationships is matched by no one I can think of. You are truly an upstanding Soldier and will soon be leading Soldiers of your own. All who have the opportunity to be one of your Soldiers will benefit from your example and your leadership skills. You will have a tremendous impact on many young lives and a successful Army career.

General Schoomaker, SGM Costa, SSG Robertson and the SGT's and Soldiers for their time and teamwork to have put on such a motivating and inspiring ceremony.

SGM Scott for overseeing the induction practice to ensure it went off without a hitch. I don't know I've seen a SGM at a practice... Also thank you for sitting as the President of the Board. You indeed put the fear of God into me when you suggested that any NCO who didn't make it would be expected to come back over and over until they did. I felt I'd have to keep reenlisting and reenlisting, not because I wanted to, but because I would be experiencing the nauseating pressure of the SAMC Board Quarterly for the rest of my career. Fortunately, I did it on the first try. Thank you SGM.

Adam for all of your love and support. You have been able to keep me grounded by helping me think through problems and look at situations in a more logical perspective rather than the emotionally involved approach I usually take. Your laughter and friendship is the brightest part of my life. I love you very much.

Mom for all of your support throughout my life. You have been my hero as you are the strongest person I know. Your ability to overcome such adversity in your life and continue to support me in all of my endevours has been the biggest influence in my life. I can't thank you enough for all you have given me.

Gram and Grandpa for making the long journey out to the east coast. I appreciate you taking the time away from the ranch, especially during haying season to celebrate this moment with me. I love you.

To all who have influenced me to be a successful individual, "thank you", but it just doesn't seem like enough...

Sergeants Audie Murphy Present and Future

My Supportive Family

My Patient and Encouraging "Guest" (Boyfriend)

The one the only ADAM JOHNSON

Martha's Vineyard

Mrs. Bennett

Farmers Market

Martha's Vineyard...Adam couldn't have said it better, "If God lives at Lake Burton, he vacations in Martha's Vineyard". I can't express the beauty of the island nor how much fun I had meeting Dave's Mom and Dad as well as his long time friends. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett's hospitality and generosity were endless. By far, two of the lovliest people I've had the opportunity to meet and I was so very sad that we had to leave after having just met them. (They were so wonderful we plan on going back, maybe they'll rethink thier generosity next time). As for Dave's friends, I have laughed that hard thanks to Dave and Adam recently, but they were an absolute riot to hang out with on the beach, play whiffle ball and drink beers...

Flying a kite over the ocean is very different than flying a kite next to the Potomac (even on a non-stinky river day). The wind caught the kite and you could manuver it this way and that, with just your eyes to the sky and the sound of the ocean rolling in and out along beach. The flapping of the kite as it spirals downward and abruptly upward. Skipping forward as the breeze lifts it higher ever so gently giving you the feeling that your organs and breathe might just roll as gently out of your body skyward and free...

The newfound feeling of weightlessness and freedom on the water (much like that on fresh powder with a board stapped to the soles of your feet) will not go away. I didn't think it possible to have that kind of experience on the ocean. Jenny taught me how to boogie board and as I paddled out into the sea the salt stinging my eyes and the taste was foreign to me in the water, as I had always been a mountain lake girl. Many times over Jenny would let me know when to start paddling toward shore in hopes I would catch a wave. Sometimes I'd get on it for a moment, but until I rode it all the way to the beach I had never understood what all the hype was about. Yeah, I always said I wanted to surf, but I didn't know why. I can't get the feeling out of my head. Your proprioceptors have no idea where you are in space as the force of the wave takes you in and you ride the tide into the sand. Such a free and empowering experience, something I will never forget, and something I will strive continuously to relive. Thank you Jenny & Tater...

Alli, you make an amazing frittata! I won't forget that either.

Farmer's Market...just beautiful, take a look for yourself.

Martha's Vineyard has also been the inspiration as to how I want to live the next chapter of my life. Living sustainably. Learning the do's and do not's (yes, I said do not's). Thank you Anna Edey for your inspiration and Adam Johnson for having such an open mind and encouraging me on the path with your support and your beliefs.

Vacation on Lake Burton Georgia

View from the Screen Porch

Listening to music written to suite the mood of leisure living in a charming cabin on a beautiful lake in the early morning (the mood is even more lightened when we hear a tune from last year's Chris Isaak Christmas CD as we sing along and laugh about Christmas in July). Savoring steel cut oatmeal with fresh peaches and cream (or 2% milk purchased that morning after a short boat ride to the "the Anchorage" boat store at the end of the lake). Sitting with Adam (whose hair is still standing on end after the screaming boat ride to the end of the lake, maybe that's why it seemed so short), Sadie and Willow on the screen porch taking in the view. Enjoying the fog rolling across the peak of Charlie Mountain as the American flag flutters laxidazically in the breeze. The waves cause the dock to see saw back and forth as they lap against the rock wall where the back yard ends. The contrast of the blue sky and green trees shading the yard reflects off the glass tabletop of the old metal framed table of vines and rusted roses where we sit. The Galaxy floor fan hums along and eases the panting of a warm Alaskan Malamute snoozing on the slate rock floor. All life on the porch is carefree and serene. THIS is vacation.

Did the wind comb your hair?

Oh so sweet Saturday...

Sleeping until 0800, taking the dogs to the creek to play (although this morning was a little more eventful than usual. Willow was limping on her back hind leg the entire way, Sadie lost her floating kong in the current and it hurled itself under a rock where it is probably still being whirled about, and Sadie took it upon herself to go for a little trot about on the bike trail by herself). But, the weather was beautiful and that certainly doesn't fall in any sort of category for having a bad day.

Adam and I then went for a short ride through Rock Creek Park to get to our friend Adam's house. His Mum is in town from Australia and they invited us over for brunch. (I was supposed to have earned it by going on an 8-mile trail run with Adam Fletcha' (as we call him) Sadist Dave, JT, and Dennis. But I didn't go on the run, just to breakfast (I was also supposed to pay $19.95 for this scrumptious meal because I didn't run, but didn't have to do that either). Anyway, cream cheese smothered bagels with smoked salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise over asparagus, Italian brewed espresso...and best of all, a wonderfully inspiring group of people to share a Saturday breakfast with...(I stole that last sentence from Adam's blog)... I couldn't agree more.

I just finished walking the dogs around the block and found a blue jay feather...

Greatest Compliment

Meredith Bragg (musician)

As I left from working in the professional clinic at Potomac Massage Training Institute on Wednesday I felt I had received the greatest compliment of my massage career. Don't get me wrong, there have been many heartfelt and enthusiastic "thank you's" and "that was fabulous" that I appreciate very much, but this was different. A young man about 22 came in to receive his second professional massage. His hair was the mussed unkempt Beatles style and an almost 5 o'clock shadow graced his baby face. When I first introduced myself, he seemed a bit shy but had a firm handshake and an energy that came forth through his bright eyes. At first glance he reminded me of the many talented people we hung out with on Sunday night during Meredith's CD release party at the Black Cat. That thought aside, I finished the massage and left the room. Before he left, he came back in the office. As I walked him out and asked him how he felt, he replied, "Natalie, that was great, now I can go home and make some music".

Independence Day 2005

Happy Fourth of July and thank you to all the Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and women, First and Second Mates and all others I don't know what to call you by for protecting this great nation! As I think of the long days I spend at my job in the Army and realize I've got nothin' on those men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. I get to come home every night to my silly boyfriend and two furry loveable dogs. So, when I get frustracted and start to gripe about my job, please folks, just remind me I'm not in the sandbox and I'm probably just sweatin' the small stuff...