Yesterday evening the wife and I ate dinner with a local USMCveteran organization I am a member of. It was the first time out in a while. It felt good to get out of the immediate vicinity of our yard for something other than a doctor or lab appointment.
We all met at a seafood place on the Ohio River. Yeah, kind of weird. Seafood in land locked Indiana. Should have been my first signal that the food was less than stellar. It wasn't terrible, but it was bland. No seasoning or flavor added at all to the servings.
Oh well, it was just good to sit down and shoot the breeze with all the old guys and gals from the group. The wife actually talked more than me. Not sure what was up, but I was more in the listening mood last night.
Most of the time waiting for our food, during and after dinner I found myself listening to varied conversations around our group of tables. I only caught bits and pieces as I did not wear my hearing aid. However, most conversations seemed to center around our schedled activities. Then there were the many old stories of various military exploits, most of which were humorous in nature, some only fit for adult ears.
Since I don't get out much, this was really a motivator for me to make it out and socialize with others, especially veterans. It is hard to explain, but I slept good last night for the first time in weeks. I feel refreshed with very little pain this morning, and mentally feel in a good place.
The only thing I can conclude is that getting out an connecting with others, especially fellow veterans, was just what was needed. Even if the food wasn't great, the company and conversations made it worthwhile. Maybe it's a sign to plan more of these social moments when I'm for it and having my good days.
I plan to give one of the guys from the group a call later today to schedule a time for us to have breakfast next week. Keeping the ball rolling by scheduling some more social outtings may be a new medicine that could just be what I need to break through my funk once and for all.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
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Good for you brother! I'm glad to hear you are getting out with the vets! I don't belong to any of them but maybe I should look into them!
I think that is a good call mate. It works wonders to get out and see/hear different things from the humdrum of the house. Astonishibgklly so at times!
Yes, I need it for sure.
Get it and next time get it in a better food joint! Lol
Glad to hear you could get out and enjoy yourself!
Thanks. Yeah, I have to break this habit of isolationism.
Sounds like a good evening, I'm an early riser so the breakfast sounds like the way to go.
It was a good one, minus the bland food. Breakfast is not a big thing for me anymore, but coffee is. So I will most likely drink coffee and have a doughnut or something.
That sounds awesome man, I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I saw the guys…maybe 2009 or 2010? Feels good to see them again though, it’s nice to see where everyone is at these days, to see the civilian versions of your ol crew hahaha
…I’m glad you slept well man, chronic sleeplessness wears a man out quick AF. Hopefully you broke the tide and you’ll be sleeping better from here out
I would love to see some of the folks AI used to serve with, but I don't live close to any that I know of. I have lost contact with many too sadly. The folks I ate dinner with were from a local Marine veterans group I belong to. They span multiple generations.
Yeah, I have been sleeping a little better. Not much, but better.
Ah, gotcha. You know when I got out my dad talked about how I’d share a bond with other veterans forever. How we all share this common history and experience of service, woo woo woo…At the time I basically said I don’t want anything to do with anything like that
I don’t want to talk about this shit, I wanna put it behind me.
well, my dad always has a calm response to things.. makes sense honestly, but who knows, maybe someday you’ll feel differently…veterans are the only ones who’ll have that common experience, even if their experience wasn’t identical.
…all these years later, sonofabitch…he was right.
That’s cool you’ve got a group like that…I always think I’ll join up with a group like that once my kids get a little older.
I'd look around. A lot of the vet groups are becoming family friendly these days.
That’s true, and perhaps I will sooner than I expect…although with no. 3 on the way, I’m gonna have my hands full for a bit.
Our friend group is all marines though actually, they are the parents and friend group/unit of our oldest daughters friend from school. It’s been really nice going to functions like birthday parties and bbqs and stuff, talking shit or whatever and watch our kids romp around together. Even though I was army, there’s still a common bond that I never thought I would feel when I was ETS-ing.
That is good. I am glad you got those folks to hang with and just yap with if needed.
Yeah man exactly right lol - it’s nice even when we don’t talk about service related stuff, just to have some friends with a semi-common background. Mostly we talk about rising taxes and raising kids in the current political environment lol - but I can always feel that our common background somehow does affect the vibe. It’s nice to connect after all hahaha - even like here with you and Wes also. Never thought I’d want that, but I guess my dad knows a thing or two after all
oh this is nice joe. go go go.
go out and have more fun.
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