So I’m not sure how many of you are going through this and how close you are to these family members or friends, but all in all my cousin Jose joined the Army last year in November. I can’t say I was “happy” that he joined because I was scared for his safety, especially at a time that the United States is at War, but something inside me said that it was a good choice for him, a new beginning! I supported him just as he would me if it were the other way around!
When it was finally his time to depart I have to say I was very emotional, my cousin and I grew up in a very tight knight family his brothers and I were always together and still remain very close and we cared and defended each other every much! I’m particularly a lot closer to Jose because we share a lot in common and we share a lot of the same characteristics some that are good and some that are bad like our short temper LOL! When my first daughter was born he was always there for her, he came to visit her all the time and it was amazing to see him bond with her, at times I look back at the pictures and smile. He hasn't been able to bond as much with Geanna since he has been gone for so long... I was there in his moments of despair and his moments of happiness and he was also in mine. I remember one day, Jose broke his arm playing football and he needed surgery. I went to visit him at the hospital and it was heart breaking, the best part was I BEGGED my mom to let me stay home from school with him so I can take care of him! Mind you he’s older than me by 2 years HAHA! I remember the late nights staying up doing his school projects with him cause he had no idea what to do...particularly i remember burning paper at the tips to make his project paper look old you know, renaissance time type thing LOL! I have shared so many memories good and bad with him! When I look back he is not only my cousin but my best friend! I can confide in him, I trust him!
When it was finally his time to depart I have to say I was very emotional, my cousin and I grew up in a very tight knight family his brothers and I were always together and still remain very close and we cared and defended each other every much! I’m particularly a lot closer to Jose because we share a lot in common and we share a lot of the same characteristics some that are good and some that are bad like our short temper LOL! When my first daughter was born he was always there for her, he came to visit her all the time and it was amazing to see him bond with her, at times I look back at the pictures and smile. He hasn't been able to bond as much with Geanna since he has been gone for so long... I was there in his moments of despair and his moments of happiness and he was also in mine. I remember one day, Jose broke his arm playing football and he needed surgery. I went to visit him at the hospital and it was heart breaking, the best part was I BEGGED my mom to let me stay home from school with him so I can take care of him! Mind you he’s older than me by 2 years HAHA! I remember the late nights staying up doing his school projects with him cause he had no idea what to do...particularly i remember burning paper at the tips to make his project paper look old you know, renaissance time type thing LOL! I have shared so many memories good and bad with him! When I look back he is not only my cousin but my best friend! I can confide in him, I trust him!
OMG! I also remember when he met Leyla (his wife) and he was taking her out for dinner on her birthday...must have been like their first few dates and he came over and he's like "Daema, you have to dress me, i have o impress this girl" LOL! (jose, i know if your reading this your totally going to deny it but dont front buddy LOL!).
So he called me the other day and while taking he dropped the bomb on me, he’s deploying to Iraq in January, 2010 and once again that fear has set in, the what if’s of the whole situation start haunting my head…yesterday I commented on his Facebook page and told him to seal himself inside a bullet/bomb proof bubble and make sure he doesn’t get out. Although he is intelligence which gives me hope that he is safer than those that have to be in combat, I’m still scared!
He has so much going for him here, his wife Leyla, his daughter Amalia and another bundle of joy on the way…I’m saddened because he won’t be here to welcome his new baby into the world or see Amalia’s reaction when the baby arrives…just simply share this moment with his wife…you know? He will be gone for at least a year, that’s long, not to mention that he has been gone for almost a year on and off in the whole training process.
I’m mostly scared because I don’t want anything to happen to him, my cousins are like the brothers I never had, so deep done inside I protect them. That motherly instinct kicks in, you can say.
Jose, thank you, thank you so very much for all that you have done for me and my girls and for befriending Gabriel the way you did and continue to! You’re an amazing person with a heart of rock solid gold and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished!
So he called me the other day and while taking he dropped the bomb on me, he’s deploying to Iraq in January, 2010 and once again that fear has set in, the what if’s of the whole situation start haunting my head…yesterday I commented on his Facebook page and told him to seal himself inside a bullet/bomb proof bubble and make sure he doesn’t get out. Although he is intelligence which gives me hope that he is safer than those that have to be in combat, I’m still scared!
He has so much going for him here, his wife Leyla, his daughter Amalia and another bundle of joy on the way…I’m saddened because he won’t be here to welcome his new baby into the world or see Amalia’s reaction when the baby arrives…just simply share this moment with his wife…you know? He will be gone for at least a year, that’s long, not to mention that he has been gone for almost a year on and off in the whole training process.
I’m mostly scared because I don’t want anything to happen to him, my cousins are like the brothers I never had, so deep done inside I protect them. That motherly instinct kicks in, you can say.
Jose, thank you, thank you so very much for all that you have done for me and my girls and for befriending Gabriel the way you did and continue to! You’re an amazing person with a heart of rock solid gold and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished!
WOOOOW dee that was really touching and sad, i dont have much i can write about this topic becuase i havnt had someone so close do this. But knowing that jose is going to iraq we will all pray for him to come home safetly to his family... i swear i think you almost made me cry here lol... well girl good idea for this hobby of yours ...
ReplyDeleteHey there daema,
ReplyDeleteIt's been hope all is well, I see that your worried about your cousins future deployment. Trust me when I say that through faith and love both you and your family will get through this time. I just came back Iraq about 2 months ago so I understand perfectly what your cousin is going thru and at the same time I know what you must be going through with the worry and the questions. I know it may mean much but don't stress it, my best advise to you is to support your cousin in all he does ( which I'm sure you already do). He's lucky Iraq is no longer the crazy warzone it used to be. Just make sure he has no worries at home that way he can focus on deployment and have less on his mind, if you ever have any questions please don't hesitate to ask there are few recources you can use to help you now and after he comes back. Example the post office will supply you and the famly with free boxes to send stuff and others check out militaryonesource.com well anyway if you have questions just let me know, but don't worry too much your cousin will be fine
-Milton