So what happens now? Where am I going to?
July 1, 2009
Ahhh, I am back! I am sure you all are ready to hear the tales of the Wedding. I have much to say so I am going to summarize:
Wednesday I arrived. We had a list of things to do. Michelle’s friend Ashley arrived from California. it was a rather laid back day. Thursday we had an AWESOME breakfast at Zaftigs. We met some of Terry’s family. We got pedicures/manicures, more friends arrived. The Bachelorette Party was a BLAST! We did Karaoke, since my sister had injured herself the Saturday before and her knee was still hurting. Friday we got more stuff done, met more of Terry’s family. We had an assembly line for bouquet making. Misk and the Minions arrived at the hotel. We went to the rehearsal and dinner. My sister gave us hand-made beautiful beaded necklaces, and the girls got “Flower Girl” tote bags. We headed home to her place and she slept in her apartment for the last time.
Saturday we woke to Sunshine and coffee. We got to the reception hall and started to set-up. We met more of Terry’s family. I got my hair done. I got the kids, there was chaos. I cried helping my sister put on her wedding dress. I barely had time to get my make-up on before we were in the limo. The ceremony was beautiful. I cried again when I saw her coming down the aisle. She was spectacular. Suddenly she was a married woman.
Some of my Colombian family came up from New Jersey. I cried again when I saw my cousin Geovani. I hadn’t seen him since the summer before Misk and I married. We did pictures and headed to the reception. I met more family. I conversed in Spanish to my Tia Trinidad, albeit poorly. Somewhere in all this Misk got lost and broke down in his truck. He got rescued, and showed up. I gave my speech, and everyone loved it.
We danced, we danced…West Indians know how to party! I drank Colombian fire-water. Kaity fell asleep. Everyone had a good time. We went back to our hotel. Sunday Misk and I fought, but we made up. We went to Terry’s family’s house for another party! I saw some of my family again. We drove through Boston to get Misk another alternator (that’s 2 in 4 years, BTW). We got it installed. Had a few moments with my sister and new brother before heading home. The Minions went to the Vineyard with my parents.
I thought the insanity was over. I thought I was going to get to relax in July and mentally prepare myself for the “decision” from the Navy about Misk’s career.
I thought wrong.
Monday, back to work, which I was glad to return to. I missed my friends & co-workers. Misk called about 11:30…
“So I just got back from Sub School Administration.”
“Oh? What for?”
“I was called down to start my paperwork for Administrative Separation…”
“Wait, what?? Are you kidding me??? I thought we wouldn’t know until the end of July!!”
“Apparently not.”
Yep, you heard me right. Misk is getting out. There was a kicker though. He had to go to Navy Legal the next day to figure out if appealing to a board to reverse the decision was in his best interest. Yesterday we went and talked to the lawyer. He pretty much told us it would merely be a long, drawn-out end to the inevitable, but if Misk wanted to do it, he was welcome to it.
So Misk had to make a decision. Take the discharge, and we’d out in 4-6 weeks, or fight it and have about 3-4 months left.
The answer to me was easy. But it wasn’t my decision to make. Misk had to decide if he was dooming us to a bad fate sooner than later. There are so many worries with this decision. Worries that hadn’t occurred to me in my initial jubilation on the idea of getting out of the Navy:
Will Misk be able to find work right away?
Will we be able to find a house to rent that we can afford?
Will we be able to feed our children in a month’s time or would it be worth it to drag out the fight and ensure we are still able to take care of the family?
Will Misk have to pay back some of his re-enlistment bonus from 5 years ago because he’s getting out a year early?
Some of these questions will have answers soon. Some we will have to find out along the way.
Despite our trepidation and uncertainty, Misk and I went to dinner last night and had a long talk. He had to decide and let the Navy know today, whether or not he was going to request a board. I told him my thoughts and feelings. I offered a possibility that I can’t talk about just yet for some sort of security. I think it helped. Misk made his decision.
He is not going to appeal. He is right now, as I type, telling the Navy.
I will know what day we are officially a civilian family by the end of the day.
I am suddenly scared, excited, happy, exhilarated and terrified all at once.
It’s really happening.
The snowball has begun to descend.
We’re going home. Finally.












