I'm glad you still got out to Church. Even though I'm not a person of Faith, I can't imagine a God that wouldn't forgive a tired and troubled man from resting his eye when he's save in His house.
My son-in-law is stuck out in the Arabian Sea in the engine room of CVN-72 right now and has been for a while. Certainly a different boat than the Big E. I just mailed him a box full of Canadian coffee and treats. It's a tough life and with the years that you are in it, it undoubtedly shapes your world view. Where your shipmates have your back - when they're not playing a prank on you when you are in your rack.
I think that the key thing I read here is the word "waiting". Yes - absolutely there are a lot of things going on that are well beyond your control. Things that are going in directions you don't want. Signals that don't make sense. A key thing that I learned - and it was tough to learn - is to let go of those things that you can't do anything about and to still go forward and do your duty regardless. Your duty is clear. You have a family who loves and needs you. Kids and grandkids. You have friends who need you. You have a new job that makes you work hard doing things you are good at. The rest, for now, you'll have to let go of any control over.
There's a phrase that the Navy uses that I quite like "we have the watch shipmate". I just now stumbled on this and thought I would share. It might help. The Watch
For twenty years This sailor has stood the watch While some of us were in our bunks at night This sailor stood the watch
While some of us were in school learning our trade This shipmate stood the watch
Yes.. even before some of us were born into this world This shipmate stood the watch
In those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history This shipmate stood the watch
Many times he would cast an eye ashore and see his family standing there Needing his guidance and help Needing that hand to hold during those hard times But he still stood the watch
He stood the watch for twenty years He stood the watch so that we, our families and Our fellow countrymen could sleep soundly in safety, Each and every night Knowing that a sailor stood the watch
Today we are here to say 'Shipmate... the watch stands relieved Relieved by those You have trained ,Guided, and Led Shipmate you stand relieved.. we have the watch..."
"Boatswain..Standby to pipe the side...Shipmate's going Ashore.."
On BD H52, W50 T27, M26 S21, D23 BD-9-Mar-16 D-15-Jan-18 Final-19-Apr-18 I am a storyteller. The story may do you no good. But a story is never for the listener. It is always for the one who tells
