I knew that just finally meeting them in person and seeing the Tarawa was going to be emotional. I really wanted to keep my composure and was having pep talks to myself and even garnered a few from SAM.
Tuesday night with Rebecca and her husband I did fine, even after receiving the flowers. I thought I was home free on the crying stuff.
The next morning as we were headed down the elevator to meet James out front my cell phone rang and it was James saying he was here to escort us to the ship. I told him we were on our way and would be right there. I couldn't even repeat the phone call to SAM without crying. We paused for a few seconds, SAM trying his best to calm me with a pep talk and we headed for the the hotel entrance where James was. I did pretty good holding back the tears and continued to do so throughout the tour of the ship.
Dinner was a whole different story. I was especially anxious to meet who the crew and I affectionately call "Senior" when we talk about him, our own bkwells. As I mentioned earlier Brian Wells had happily gone on to NAS North Island and has classes now so therefore he wasn't available for the tour of the ship. Dinner would be the first time I would meet him.
I should have known something was up when one of the sailors (also named Brian) met SAM and I as we arrived at the restaurant and escorted us to the table some of them were already seated at. Brian M. pulled out the chair for me at the head of the table and said they were saving that seat for me, SAM was seated to my right.
When Brian Wells arrived with that big sweet grin (I've had to opportunity to see pictures of him and the crew prior to our meeting) I thought I would burst. I got the best, strongest and longest bear hug I think I've ever had and still I tried not to cry.
However when I was presented with the flag and Brian tried his best at sharing his thoughts, he finally said he was speechless and I just couldn't hold back. Of course, these guys are the greatest and I received a round of applause and shouts from them congratulating themselves because they achieved their mission of making me cry. LOL. These sailors are very sweet and knew how to make me more comfortable and none of it escaped me. They're wonderful.
The entire experience was overwhelming an after hugs and some wonderful personal well wishes, SAM and I got in the car and drove away. Yep, then I really fell apart. Talk about mixed emotions, happy to have met them and sad to be leaving. I think SAM deserves an award for standing by me and supporting me through this emotional roller coaster ride.
JINXY, I do realize how they feel as difficult as it was to understand when they were the ones doing all the sacrificing. They always were kind and expressed their appreciation in emails and were exactly the same in person only with a more personal touch. Thank you for your kind words.
Thanks to everyone for your support of SAM and I and your kind words today also. I'd really love to post individually to you all but I am really wearing down fast and need to get some sleep soon.
For you ladies out there let me just say this once. Sailors are the best huggers until somebody proves me wrong!!!LOL!!!