Heat

The talk of  most of us  centers around the weather; who has the hottest, the coldest, the nicest, the windiest, etc. Obviously, we are all talking about the heat and how it is affecting us. I won't say that we are whining but we are coming really close!
On Andy's first deployment, he talked about the severe conditions in Iraq. Remember, at that time, most of our military did not have quarters let alone running water or air-conditioning. The heat was soaring to the 120+ mark and did not really cool down at night. They all had to wake up multiple times at night in order to hydrate or they would end up sick. The only time they had relief was when the doc would insert an IV for fluids. Andy said that his clothes were so stiff from sweat when he took them off at night, he could stand them up in the corner. Of course there was no way to wash, so the stiff clothes were put back on in the morning!
Andy did not really complain, he was just matter of fact about it.

The second deployment found better living conditions; port a potties and not a hole in the ground! While Pete was in Iraq a month ago, he had it a lot better. He said, "Gee, Mom, we have AC and even ice cream!". He was being funny, trying to get me to not worry about him. :-) I am sure Andy was grinning.
Bearing all this in mind, I am really going to try not to whine about the heat. Stay cool!

"There is nothing to be unhappy about." - Ace Nowacki

Reflections

Today, my eldest niece will be getting married. It is a time for  savoring the company of those I love most in the world, as it is one of the rare occasions that all my siblings and most of the nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews are all in the same geographical location. Family is our foundation.

It is inevitable that thoughts of Andy will be prominent. Andy really loved celebrated when he was able to be with his family. Family and friends were what mattered to him the most and hanging with his cousins was at the top of his list. Andy always tried to to touch everyone he could on a daily basis. He made people feel cared for.

I was always proud of Andy but never more so than when I heard some of the stories from his unit: he spent hours learning to play "Happy Birthday" on a keyboard (he was not a musician) to celebrate for a Marine; if he was finished eating and someone came in alone, he would stay and keep them company; he would make an special occasion out of anyone's birthday, no matter their rank; he was "Secret Santa" on steroids!

Today, as the family gathers to celebrate, Ace will be there too. We will feel his love and I know that he will be next to Heather, watching, smiling and sharing in the happiness of the day.

"There is nothing to be unhappy about"  - Andy "Ace" Nowacki