Another Casualty of War....Another Friend Gone.....

Today started off like any other.  I sent My Marine to work with a kiss and our ritual "be careful".  I got a shower.  I got my girls dressed and fed breakfast.  I had the news on.  In the background I hear about a helicopter crash in Afghanistan....and for a moment my heart seizes as I flashback almost immediately to this past summer and the loss in our Battalion.

I think...Dear God, please not again.

But then I hear that it was the Marines that were involved and I say a quick prayer for the families and all on board -- and then another prayer of thanks that it was not us.

Until I got on my laptop and saw an instant message on FB from my friend DeAnne.  Her husband and my husband served in the Marines together with HMX.  DeAnne was the one that broke the news to me that we lost a friend in that crash.

And all I could think of was 1) Does My Marine know and 2) Dear God, please not again.....

I immediately ran upstairs and called My Marine at work.  He already knew.  He'd been on the phones with other brother Marines trying to piece together what happened.  I could hear the pain and disbelief in his voice - and that's when I started to cry.

And I haven't stopped.

I had to drop Nani off at school and run some errands.  I called My Marine on my way to the base.  I needed to see him.  I needed to hug him.  I just needed him.  But he was in a class and couldn't be interrupted.  I just sent him a simple text.

"I love you..."

After I got home, I got nothing done.  I'd been glued to my laptop chatting online with other HMX wives...expressing our sadness and disbelief.  Trying to come together so that we can be strong and supportive for our husbands -- who are all feeling such a deep loss.

I was chatting with DeAnne and mentioned that it seemed so wrong that people were going about their every day lives.  I know life goes on....but I just wanted to say to just one person, "Do you know what happened ?  Do you realize that 10+ family's lives are changed forever?"  While I was chatting, I saw a friend post that the top headline on Yahoo news was that Jessica Alba changed her outfits 4 times in one day. 

I lost my mind.  Who the fuck cares?????  Please excuse me while I let my bitterness seep through for a moment.  I know that we've all been guilty of becoming numb and indulging in petty news stories such as Jessica Alba's massive wardrobe.

But for a moment....I ask you to tear yourself away from that to look at this photo:

This is the face of a friend, Travis Riddick, that we lost -- and his beautiful wife, Jennifer.

Instead of reading about the latest Kardashian debacle or the latest Hollywood divorce, take a moment to say a prayer for Travis's family - his wife, his 11-yr. old daughter, his mom and dad, and his brothers - one who was his twin.  Take a moment to pray for the families of the other Marines and passengers ond that helicopter.  And then take another minute to tell those you love that you love them.

And me?  I'll continue to move forward like I always do.

Semper Fi Travis.  Fly with the angels......