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Badger 1-1's weblog

Sgt. Cipriani's action-packed army adventures

taking things for granted

all too often we take things for granted.  i am sure that it happens in all cultures, but being american, we have the upper hand.  being a soldier, deployed in a foriegn contry, this comes up alot.  many a day, or conversation heads towards that which we will never take for granted again.  we talk about that as much as we do anything.  it has really shown true this week, as we entered the rainy season.  something as simple as rain has such dramatic consequences on life, in this region.  i can't imagine how the people of this country, or similar environments, must depend on rain.  i know it has been worth its weight in gold, to us, just for dust control.  i thougth i would share a few more things that we say we will NEVER take for granted again. 

first our freedom.  if you have been in the military you know what i mean.  the very thing we fight for, it seems often, we get deprived.  regulation, regulation, regulation.  never again will i take lightly the choices i have as a civilian.  to wear what i want, when i want, where i want and with who i want.  to be able to be LAZY, if i want.  seems trivial, but you've got yours.

flush toliets.  i need not go into the trials of ten months spent “downloading” into prota johns, in the desert.  let your imagination run wild.

building codes.  since the rain, many electrical problems have surfaced here at our quaters.  when you come from the showers, with wet feet, a nice jolt of electricity meets you when you grab your door knob.  haji just doesn't have the regulation that keeps things like this from happening, as we do in the states.  be thankful.

speaking of showers.  being able to shower barefoot, with out being terrified you will catch something on your feet ajax won't take off.

grass.  absence makes the heart grow fonder.

well time is up and i have to run.  leading me to another thing i miss, boredom.  love and miss all.

bc

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Published Sunday, November 07, 2004 5:09 AM by cipriani

Comments

 

cipriani said:

Sometimes I also feel that we give of some of the freedoms that we are attempting to protect in the process of serving in the military. However, I do enjoy some of the freedoms that do remain intact in my daily routine. For instance: Some mornings I put on my socks after I put on my pants instead of before. That keeps a little variety in getting dressed. Sometimes I add a little too much bleach to the washer to fade out the brown T-shirts into a quasi-purple tie-dye type of deal. Sometimes when I'm taking care of personal hygiene I'll brush my teeth first, while other times I'll shave first, then shower, and then brush my teeth. Sometimes I'll waste a couple of extra minutes in the morning just trying to figure out if I'm going to eat Rice Chex, or Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast. Sometimes if I'm feeling really rebellious I'll leave my T-shirt untucked while I'm wearing my jacket, because no one notices, and it makes me feel so much more independent. There are a lot of times when I think to myself, "I'm going to do whatever I want to do today irregardless of the consequenses.", but then I go ahead and follow orders, because it was my freedom to change my mind and follow them. I may never leave anymore feedback for anyone elses posts, but maybe I will. There's choice for me!
November 7, 2004 6:50 AM
 

cipriani said:

Speaking of choices, this situation has altered my decision making abilities as well. Each night as I lay in bed saying my prayers I decide what I should pray for first. Should I thank God for keeping you safe this long or should I ask him first to continue doing so. I'm never sure which one to put first so I switch it up often. I no longer have to make the decision of whose clothes to iron first in the mornings, what to watch on tv each night, or if I should wait up for you before I go to bed. The decision is already made for me. I don't get to decide if I will sleep-in with my husband this morning or go to Sunday School instead. I don't get to decide when I will see my husband or when I will get to hug or kiss him hello. HOWEVER, I have never been more proud to give up these decisions that I take for granted everyday. I am so proud to have a husband who stands up for what is right and what he believes in. I am so proud to have a husband who is willing to fight for the rights of strangers who often don't support the cause. I AM SO PROUD TO CALL MYSELF THE WIFE OF AN AMERICAN SOLDIER..... I love you sweetie, be careful and hurry home.
Love your wife
Amanda
November 7, 2004 7:46 AM
 

cipriani said:

BC ~
Thank you for giving perspective to my day here at home. I feel sick over how much I take for granted... I don't even know what to say except thank you!! and that feels so inadequate.
November 7, 2004 7:46 AM
 

cipriani said:

taking things for granted is something we all do. it's when we realize this & do something to change it that we benefit. we all have a list & all are different but it affects ou r hearts the same. here are a few i know first hand about. kids having a kid that is away not to be able to just touch, hug, kiss,or share with. time- all that you wish you had spent doing the things that matter. love- all the times you were short to not show it when you have the chance,(please thake the time to stop hurrying life away & tell & show those you love it). having chocies others make change your life.- but accecpting it to support the one who make these choices. you see i would as a MAMA have made a differnt choice for you not to be absent from our livesfor a year. but my mama"s love supports your decision, prays, misses & tries to carry on life for all your love ones here, at your request. somedays grow really really long, sometimes you are missed beyond what words can say,somedays are so really hard when you realize a hug, a kiss, or just one word of your voice would mean the world. but know that with all these things i am blessed & take to much for granted, you see i have more than i deserve. 4 wonderful kids, change that to 6 now to the first four, Matthew Diana Tiffany & Chris & Billy & Amanda, no special order or no one any more important than the others. the best thing is i am PROUD of all of them. i also have a grandbaby on the way to be here around the first of feburary. what more could a mama ask for.( billy another grandchild would be wonderful.) so since i can't hug you now this will have to do, I am so PROUD of you, i love & miss you more than you'll ever understand. nothing is important as you to know in your heart that you could not be loved more, you are the BEST kid a mama could have. ( i can seethe smile you have on your face now.)
I LOVE YOU!
love mama
November 7, 2004 3:09 PM
 

cipriani said:

While we are all on the taking things for granted wagon, I guess I'll jump on too. Not saying that I don't love you with all my heart, but I have definetely realized how much I take my big brother for granted. I was thinking about you the other day and how much I actually miss just being able to call you to say hey or to ask your advice. I even miss your smart butt comments and constant teasing. It has been way too long to go without my big bro. and I pray that you get to come home soon. Anyways, don't go get a big head on me or anything, but just know that I love you and I miss you greatly and I promise I won't take you for granted anymore. (at least not until you are back home for a couple of weeks or so! lol) I love you!
Tiff
November 10, 2004 8:35 PM
 

cipriani said:

Well i guess its my turn!! you know its funny how i have become apart of your family Billy and oo i guess i take that forgranted!! Not only that but i take forgranted alot more than that!!! I myself dont think how important it is to be free!! nor how important it is to be your self and not follow in the footsteps of others!! AS i have dated Matthew for a good while now i expect him to call me every day just to let me know what he's doin !! but you know thats important but not as important as him just being here. i know im just a teenager whose about to graduate but i took for granted how much my mother does for me and now im bout to go out on my own!! see those are the big things and theres so much more to be grateful for that really dont make a difference!! but thats enough for now!! be careful billy!! know we all miss and love you and cant wait for you to come home!!
November 12, 2004 9:57 AM
 

cipriani said:

I can't even begin to imagine the experience of living in a third-world country, Billy. I do believe you're making a difference over there, though. I can see it in the eyes of the children whose pictures we've put in the Daily Journal. Their parents may not appreciate y'all as much as they should, but the children are the future and they'll remember the great deeds you have done. I can't wait to do a big spread when y'all come home. I'll be at the airport, fer sure, snapping photos and getting quotes. Some people in the community have already contacted me about throwing a countywide party some time early next year when Cos. A and B get back. You know me, I can't resist a challenge ... or a party. It will be a big one, complete with music, food, fireworks, the works. Hurry home, dude. We miss you. Shawn, Dawn, Breeanna and Zachary. By the way, Breeanna and Zachary are now your adopted sister and brother. They're learning life the Trinda way. Hahahahaha.
November 16, 2004 1:17 AM
 

TrackBack said:

^_~,pretty good!csharpsseeoo
May 11, 2005 2:15 PM
 

TrackBack said:

taking things for grantedooeess
June 2, 2005 8:08 AM
 

TrackBack said:

taking things for grantedooeess
June 2, 2005 8:10 AM
 

TrackBack said:

taking things for grantedooeess
July 11, 2005 1:29 PM
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