Day 22 From Burbank: The Sgt. Major

Imagine a guy with the presence of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Bruce Willis. Add a wicked sense of humor, piercing blue eyes, shave his head and that's my brother, Marine Sgt. Major. He bravely served in 2 wars. I just found out he's also been awarded the bronze star.

He's loyal, brave and true. One of my best friends and just fun to hang out with.

The Sgt. Major in Iraq

We are hooked in.

Example: When he was serving in Iraq I would periodically have panic attacks (never had them before or after). I knew that heavy stuff was going down with him when I had these. One night I had a really bad one. Hubby had to talk me down. First thing the next morning I called my sister- in- law, Rosalie (his wife), and asked if she had heard anything from him.

Rosalie: "Oh, did you get the email?"

Me: "No."

Rosalie: "There was a fire. Everyone's okay but The Sgt. Major lost everything. Including clothes, letters, gear and his journal."

I knew the journal would be the one thing that really bothered him.

He's back home now. Safe and sound.

Yesterday

Me: "Shaboom walked a lot yesterday. I need a lot of uphill. I think I might take 3 and go up that really steep hill to the golf course."

Sgt. Major: "By yourself?"

Me: "Yep."

Sgt. Major: "I'll go with you guys. Sounds like a good hike."

I was hoping he would say that.

I had a cup of coffee and a little baguette before we headed out the door.

It was a slight uphill grade the whole way.

And then the crazy hill.

It was very pretty up there.

We decided to go all the way up to Stough Canyon Nature Center.

Good Times

We walked back to the Clubhouse at DeBell Golf Course and had breakfast.

I requested poached eggs, bacon, pickles and tomatoes.

It was lovely.

The walk home was beautiful.

When we were done I checked on map my run and we had walked 10 miles.

Part of that was uphill pushing a stroller with all our gear and my 34 pound kid.

No stairs for me today.

I already know I will have an apple with cheese for lunch and a crepe for dinner.

The Sgt. Major is about to go home when I remember something.

Me: "I need you to take care of something for me."

Sgt. Major: "Oh yeah? What's that?"

I explain the situation.

Sgt. Major: "No problem."

I slowly open the cupboard. Protein Powder sees The Sgt. Major and gets the oh my God look.

The Sgt. Major says to Protein Powder in his best John Wayne impersonation.

Sgt. Major: "Bone journo, there, hombre." He looks at me, smiles, and says "We're gonna go now and have a nice little chat."

And with that my relationship with Protein Powder came to an end.

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I would like to thank all the men and women in the Armed Forces.

Because of you I am free.