6/13/07

Things have been sort of "off" for the past couple of days. Im missing CJ. REALLY badly. I mean…its officially less than a month before I see him. I get to go see him on the 12th of July to pick him up from Basic Training. Im just…missing him…

Right now…right this VERY minute, he’s going through the Crucible. If you’re a Marine, you know, that the Crucible is a serious test of both physical and mental strength. It is said to be the hardest thing to endure during all of Basic. It’s what they prepare you for. It is 54 hours of sleep and food deprivation. They have to complete several challenges, named after important Marines in history. Some of which, are insolvable. I can’t imagine the hardship he’s enduring right now. They suffer through night fire as well as actual combat conditions. If you are "shot" you are dead, and have to drag a dummy around that is the weight of the average full grown male. That way, you know what its like for someone to carry you. No Marine is left behind. Every one relies on one another as a whole. They will have completed, by the end of it, a total of 45 miles of hiking, with full gear. On Thursday morning, they will have the "Warriors Breakfast." So named for the fact that upon completion they will have become third phase Marine recruits and they have EARNED such a large meal. I am proud of him….I know he can do this.

If you’re reading this…please offer up any prayers you can, to whomever you pray to, to protect CJ and help him survive this will strength. Honor Courage and Commitment. He is MY HERO. I love him with all my heart and can’t wait to hear how it all went down. He’s an amazing person. So be thankful that he’s there to protect you. He isn’t just doing this for us…