My daughter C.J. (Carilyn Jessey) is almost 22 years old. This is the same baby girl who was born only 5 days after my 21st birthday, which meant, of course, that my lips touched no alcohol for that sleeper of a milestone. Instead, I waddled around eating large bags of potato chips in between coma-like naps.
C.J. is a helicopter crew chief in the glorious United States Marine Corps. She’ll be home for two weeks before leaving for her new base in North Carolina. How is it this kid of my mine, who was just wearing pigtails yesterday (by which I mean 20 years ago), will be manning a .50 caliber gun 150 feet in the air? Wasn’t she happy with just firing water pistols and riding ferris wheels?
I always knew she was different when we played together. She was 2 years old and building a dog out of blocks (I know – not a house, nor something angular and block-like, but a pet). I saw her put the finishing touch at what looked like a dachsund, so I said, “Oh, I get it, that’s the tail.” She shook her head disapprovingly and rolled her eyes, “No Mom, it’s pooping.”
C.J. bravely captured enemy spiders with her bare hands as a preschooler. She full-on rocked the drums as a rebel teenager. And she still favors fashion and glamour (Yep – a well-rounded Marine).
So yeah, I’m beaming with pride…while internally crumbling. I’ve watched my determined daughter master skills that I could’ve never accomplished at her age. She joined the military, whereas I wanted to but I required regular naptimes. I did Tang Soo Do, whereas she can kill me now with the one-inch punch. Gotta love that kid and her funny violent, deadly techniques behind that Orbit smile.
And how is it that my 4 kids are growing up so fast and yet I NEVER, ever age? It’s truly a scientific mystery that requires no answers. None whatsoever. Shush. It’s a rhetorical question. Shut Up. STOP – Quit touching me! Daaaaad!
And now for Garth Brooks, singing “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)”. I just love 90′s country music.
Oh, and I almost forgot (but not because I’m getting old) – Who is YOUR hero, past or present, and why?
13 kids playing along so far ↓
1 Joe
// Mar 25, 2009 at 8:58 am
Your facebook pic doesn’t look like you’re more than 30.
Joe’s last blog post..Haskell’s Ice Cream Hut:
2 Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com
// Mar 25, 2009 at 9:48 am
You deserve to be proud, that’s great. I think the folks in the military deserve so much credit.
Jim @ CoolStuffForDads.com’s last blog post..Spring Gardening Gifts for Men
3 marissa
// Mar 25, 2009 at 9:59 am
Why thank you Joe. That was taken last year. It may have to be updated once C.J. gets deployed; I’m sure my hair will turn gray overnight.
You still look pretty young yourself, as far as I can tell from your picture (wearing your pantsuit) on your blog.
4 marissa
// Mar 25, 2009 at 10:18 am
Hi Jim: My Dad taught all his kids to fully appreciate and love the United States and our military. During the WWII Japanese occupation in the Philippines, his own family suffered tremendously and he’s forever grateful to the American troops that sacrificed so much for his country.
One of my brothers was Air Force and another was 82nd Airborne during the first Gulf War.
5 Joe
// Mar 25, 2009 at 10:26 am
yeah, i don’t look a day over 4, do i…
Joe’s last blog post..Haskell’s Ice Cream Hut:
6 ReformingGeek
// Mar 25, 2009 at 1:26 pm
WOW! That’s great about your daughter.
I remember growing up that I really admired one of my aunts. She seemed to always be in a good mood and was just a really nice person.
I have a close friends that is only 2 months younger than me but she looks very young. I think people think I’m much older. Sheesh!
ReformingGeek’s last blog post..A Tornadic Cowtown Birthday!
7 grannyann
// Mar 25, 2009 at 3:17 pm
How neat – congrats mom. She is a very pretty marine!
grannyann’s last blog post..Do You Squidoo?
8 marissa
// Mar 25, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Hi ReformingGeek: It seems like the DNA for “good mood” and “really nice person” runs in your family
Also, I have a rule to never stand next to someone who makes me look much older. The same rule applies to standing next to women with D cups – they make me look like a boy.
Hi GrannyAnn: I always thought it was a requirement to be good-looking to be a Marine. Ooh-rah!
9 Betty
// Mar 25, 2009 at 6:53 pm
I’m certainly my own Hero. I know vain. However all my family members were either dishonorably discharged or well… other than honorable. That weed’ll get ya! And so will other things but that’s not for me to divulge.
Betty’s last blog post..OOGIE PEOPLE
10 marissa
// Mar 25, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Hi Betty: I’m intrigued. I always hope that if I’m ever discharged (I like that word – makes me picture myself flying out of a cannon) from my job, that it’ll be for something totally wild that will live on as legend.
11 Chris
// Mar 25, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Marissa – you definitely should be really proud. Sounds like your daughter has gone out and is doing something tough but amazing so good on her. My dad was in the Army so I have full respect for military people.
Good old Garthy! Love it. Makes me click my fingers every time.
Chris’s last blog post..Taxes are in on Thumbtack Thursday
12 Joe
// Mar 26, 2009 at 5:14 am
I wonder if Betty has any extra weed she could share…
13 marissa
// Mar 26, 2009 at 6:15 am
Hi Chris: Yeah, I wanted to give Garthy some props, since country music wasn’t mentioned on the “What’s Your Theme Song?” post.
Hi Joe: Hehehheh. I too was curious about the “other things.”
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