Adventure: From the Heartland to the Front Lines
June 22, 2009
Today’s Spirit of Adventure post is such a thrill for me because it is my first guest post from a non-blogger! Not that there’s anything wrong with bloggers… you know I love you guys. But this post was written by Lori, a Quest For Balance reader, who graciously agreed to share her story with our community. I am very excited about this because I’m hoping it will encourage other readers to share their adventurous stories as well. If you have a story you’d like to share, please email me at MyQuestForBalance (at) gmail (dot) com. Thank you!
The days are 100 degrees or more, the evenings freezing cold. These conditions are normal for these parts. Add a sky-darkening sand storm once or twice per week, and this place gets really interesting. It’s common to see groups of animals crossing the desert any time of the day, as seen in the photo above. We were on our way to pick up supplies at a nearby base. Sometimes there were scorpions or snakes, not the cuddly sheep you see here.
I had my own two-and-a-half ton truck to “PMCS” (Preventative Maintenance, Care, and Service, or “take care of”), a military license to drive it, and an extra license to pull a trailer, in my case usually a generator trailer. I often drove with the driver-side window rolled down, and Army-issue glasses. As I bounced over the terrain, I emphasized my mid-western accent when I spoke, to make myself feel more at home. My passengers usually got a good laugh out of that.
You see, I grew up on a farm learning to drive either a ‘52 Ford pickup truck, or when Pops felt really adventurous, a manure spreader with torn seat covers and springs sprung out of the holes. It was great training for the camo-painted, deuce-and-a-half truck. I’ll never forget the platoon sergeant saying, “Yeah, give Specialist L that truck, she’s a good ‘ole farm gal who can handle the thing.”
When a 17-year old girl decides she wants to turn down college scholarships to join the military, I don’t think it ever goes over well. I heard the rumors about me being caught selling drugs and that’s why I had to join, or that I was running away, or whatever. The drugs part was not fact; the other stuff was probably closer to the truth. The week before graduating from a western-Nebraska high school, I waltzed up to the local recruiter. My parents had to sign a waiver since I was under 18. The rest is history.
So there I was, 20 miles south of the Kuwaiti border during Desert Shield, and later Desert Storm. I was part of a military intel unit that performed surveillance of enemy territory. I was a female in a combat zone back when us girls weren’t supposed to be there. I am very proud of that fact to this day, and also very proud of my service in general. We saw our share of action, but I tell you this story not to describe the war-torn tales of terror and frequent thoughts that I might die in the next 30 seconds (all too true), but to try to describe what I later gleaned from making it to that point in the desert.
I had a “Spirit of Adventure,” a desire to see what might lie beyond my little farming upbringing. Now that I approach 40 years of age, and I can look back with clarity, what I’ve found is that the “little farming upbringing,” combined with my early military experience, taught me more than the Ph.D. I earned later as a civilian, my professional work experience, or living with a chronic disease.
When my father works on the farm, he takes a break when he is tired. He takes time to visit with the neighbors. He nurses wounded farm animals. He repairs his own machinery. He does not rely on loans to make ends meet. (“If you can’t afford it honey, don’t buy it.”) When I was in the Army, I was a decorated sharpshooter and highly trained linguist, but when the lawn needed mowing back in Germany, we each chipped in and mowed it in turn. Each of us in our unit was not too high up in rank to get down on our knees and scrub something if it needed to be scrubbed, empty the trash, or clean the toilet. I miss that about the “modern” workplace, that sense of teamwork and duty. Cleaning and chipping in were as important as the other aspects of our mission.
What I learned from my adventures growing up on a farm, and later in the military, was that by choosing adventure, you’re taking risk that will transform your life. I used to think that if I got a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, and then worked at big research institutions, got promotions, made more money, etc., I’d be a success. What took me 40 years to figure out is that not following the crowd–not “doing what you’re supposed to do”–gave me courage, strength, and the experience of living life more fully.
Living “outside of the box,” outdoors on the farm and in the military, taught me to be humble, to give to others, and to be fiscally responsible. It taught me that no job is too small, and to treasure every day of my life. Being faced with life being taken away in an instant gave me the backbone to live life as fully as possible, not to mention a new appreciation for my washing machine, warm chow, and a steamy shower!
If you find an opportunity for adventure, don’t think twice, go for it! And if you see or meet someone in the military, please thank him for his service. He (or she) will appreciate it more than you know.
What’s YOUR adventure story?
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Posted in Spirit of Adventure, choices, family, happiness, helping others
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Lori,
Thank you for sharing, you represent why we as a people are so strong. The strength of heartland values and work ethic may lift the team to do great things but it is your sense of adventure that inspires others.
Jayson
Hi, Jayson! So nice to see you here, at Q4B.
Lori is on a slightly later time zone, so I’m sure she’ll get around to answering comments in a while. But I wanted to take a moment to thank her for sharing her story with us, and also to agree wholeheartedly with you. Lori has been quite an inspiration for me since the early days of this blog. She is my constant Muse.
Lori has seen a lot, dealt with some major challenges, and continues to have such a strong spirit and zest for life that I can’t help but be inspired.
Thanks, Lori!!!!
Oh, this is awesome! Great story! When I was a kid, I wanted to join the military sooo badly…to become a pilot in the Air Force. Life had other plans for me, and so I never got the opportunity to serve, but I’m always amazed and thankful for the people who do. Thank you so much for your contribution!
Jay Schryer´s last blog ..Lazy Summer Days
I love this: ¨by choosing adventure, you’re taking risk that will transform your life¨
Joining the military sounds soo scary, but I have to admire people who do it. I´m sure adventures like that help us appreciate all the good we have, and love and value all the people around us. Thanks Lori for a beautiful, inspiring story! I heart stories
Rosa´s last blog ..Aceptando mis emociones – Embracing my emotions
Thank you for a wonderful post. Thank you for your service. Thank you for transforming others lives by choosing adventure.
I appreciate everyone for being a part of this community. Evey morning when I wake and read Lisis’ post, I feel like I get a big group hug. Writing this was both very therapeutic and an honor.
@Jayson: I didn’t get to choose where I grew up, but I did get to make decisions about many of the adventures I have taken in life. Adventure has always been important to me, especially living with people from other cultures. Thank you!
@Lisis: I don’t know where to begin to thank you (and FairyBlogMother) for maintaining this blog and encouraging me via your writing. As I said, it was absolutely my honor to be featured today. Writing a post for you was yet another awesome adventure! You and your community are changing lives and I appreciate you all so very much!
@Jay: Hi Jay! You are an inspiration to me, too–in fact, on the way to do my laundry the other day I morphed it into an adventure because of one of your remarks. ; ) I am sorry that you wanted to serve and didn’t get the chance, but serving others via your blog is helping people. That’s the point, right? Thank you for your contribution by writing for all of us who need people like you. I appreciate you!
@Rosa: You hit the nail on the head when you said that adventures help us appreciate the good we have and value our loved ones. I’m happy that you enjoyed what I had to say and that some points resonated with you. You have lots of great stories, so thank you for sharing with us via your blog.
@Terrapin Flyer: I am glad you liked my story; I am glad there is some good coming from my time overseas. You know, you brought up a good point. Not only does adventure transform the life of the person experiencing it, but others around him or her as well. I appreciate your kind words and appreciate you!
Lori and Lisis, it is a privilege and an honor to be friends with both of you. Thank you so much for sharing your stories and for encouraging such great thought and conversation. I hope other new readers will comment and share their adventures, too!
Alison | Quest for Balance´s last blog ..Adventure: From the Heartland to the Front Lines
Hi Lisis,
Thanks for making this space available for wonderful stories such as this. Real-world truths…great stuff!
Hi Lori,
It’s great to “meet” you here. And first off – thank you for helping putting yourself in the line of fire, for me. It is so appreciated. What you sacrificed so that I might continue to experience the freedom I have – this is a gift to everyone in our country. And thanks so much for sharing your story here today. Life is the adventure we allow it to be. And the experiences we allow to really touch our soul. I grew up in a midwestern farming community, and can relate very much to this concept of doing whatever needed to be done – by whoever – to get everything done. You’re reminding me today of what is truly important in life…thank you!
Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day
I love how you put that, Lance, “Real-world truths”. I really hope Lori’s story will inspire other readers to share theirs. You don’t have to be a blogger or even a writer to have experiences we can all learn from.
Story telling and story sharing is a lost art that needs to be revived. That, I believe, is how we strengthen our bonds and form a true community. Please consider this an open invitation to all: I would love to share your story here on Spirit of Adventure Mondays.
Lori,
What an inspiring post! Thank you for your service to our country.
It took a lot of guts to do what you did and it seems to have paid off handsomely in maturity, toughness, honor, and discipline. I hope you decide to share more of your story.
Roger – A Content Life´s last blog ..8 Thinking Traps
@Lance: Nice to meet you, too. I have been, pretty much, a silent observer/reader here at Q4B, but I am glad to meet so many in the Q4B community today. It is quite touching to read your words of thanks. I didn’t join the military to be thanked, but to serve my country. However, reading your words were very special to me. The people that really deserve the most thanks are the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. I am attempting to honor them with my words and story. Thank you for your comment and also for blogging!
@Lisis: Thank you for holding this wonderful space for us to gather! This will be my most memorable first day of summer. I love meeting your community. Picture me smiling.
@Roger: I didn’t see what I did as taking guts at the time I joined, I was only 17 and don’t think I really knew what I was getting into! ; ) The US was at peace, I wanted to serve, and thought it might be fun. That said, the experience did build my character. Later at a biotech company I worked for, when things got tense, I used to say things like, “Hey, no one is shooting at you and you have a roof over your head, so what’s the big problem?” People would nod, laugh, and relax. : ) Thanks for your comment, encouragement to share more, and also for sharing your mind with us via your blog.
Hi Lori,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us. You are right, whenever you go against what is expected, it does not usually go over well. I think such behavior challenges a person’s view of the world. People think life has to be a certain way and when you show them that it doesn’t, they either can learn from it or they will shoot it down because their sense of self has been rattled.
Good for you for learning all that you learned and I am so happy that you mentioned that the degree in the long run meant nothing. I have a law degree and I always tell people that it truly is not a big deal because it really does not mean anything. No one ever gets that.
And finally, thank you for serving our country and for making such a decision to serve. You rock!
Nadia-HappyLotus´s last blog ..Vacation State of Mind All the Time
@Alison: You are an amazing woman. I am certainly blessed to know you.
You also bring up a good point–I hope that others reading Q4B, including those non-bloggers like me, will consider sharing your stories. I am working through a rough chronic illness and writing, even if you are not a “writer,” is an incredibly healing activity. Share your stories with us. As Lisis says, let’s revive the art of story telling. I’ll be listening.
: )
(Picture Lisis with happy tears in her eyes.)
@Nadia: I am happy to see you here. It was your post and photos from India, in part, that encouraged me to write here. We have a lot in common. I am glad I mentioned I had an advanced degree and eluded to the fact that it does not define me as a person, in the least. I can completely relate to getting blank stares when I mention that my Ph.D. is no big deal; there are so many other important things in life it is low on the “totem pole” for me, too. I appreciate having the opportunity to earn it–but it pretty much stops there. I enjoy reading your posts and I want to extend my appreciation to you for the writing you are giving to the world. It is lovely. Thank you!
Hi Lori,
I am happy to know that post on India played a small part in encouraging you to write about your experiences. I remember Lisis bringing up the idea in the comments for that post. I am so happy that you went ahead with it. Your story was really wonderful and inspiring. The world needs to hear more stories like that.
Thank you too for all the kinds words about my writing. It means more than you know.
Nadia-HappyLotus´s last blog ..Vacation State of Mind All the Time
Hey Lisis!!
awwwsome idea to get a non-blogger guest post
cuddly sheep. peh. those sheep look deadly. remember monty python and the holy grail? the rabbit was apocolyptic
crazy to hear your story and reasons for turning down college in lieu of the military. superwow.
interesting the way you put adventures as taking a risk that will transform your life. i don’t even see it as a risk anymore, there’s nothing to lose. it’s a different path, but never the wrong path.
inspiring stuff
stumbled!!
alex – unleash reality
alex – unleash reality´s last blog ..Sound-Bite Sized Self-Help
Hey, Alex!
I know it… I’m so glad Lori agreed to do this because it opens up Mondays at Q4B as a venue for anyone willing to share their story, bloggers and non-bloggers alike. I’m also hoping it will make this blog less about ME and more about US. After all, it’s OUR Quest For Balance; we’re all on the journey together.
Oh, and I’ll never forget the Monty Python rabbit.
@Alex: I love the energy you bring to your blog. Thanks for the work you put into it for all of us! Regarding risk, I think the more people take risk the less scary or nonexistent risk seems. Once you’ve lived through enough harrowing adventures, it becomes easier to see things the way you do–risk? What risk?? You must have done some awesome things in your life; it comes through in your writing.
–Rock on, Alex! And, thanks for your comment.
Hey Lisis,
Thanks again for suggesting I write for your community. I looked back in the archives and confirmed Nadia’s observation, in the comments you put the little idea in my head to write a guest post. I had forgotten all about that. The world works in mysterious ways…
Cheers!
Hi Lori
As a non-American I maybe have a different view about the US military than many readers – but I’ll keep that to myself
– especially as this is not my blog!
What I wanted to say, was your story helped me see a different side as to why people might choose to join the army – and all credit to you for taking control of your life at a young age – and making a success of it! Especially as I’m guessing it was tough to go against the views of your family!
Lisis – I will just add my voice to the encouragement to continue offering people’s stories. Every single person on the planet has a unique story to tell and it’s great to find places where they can be read! LOL
Ian | Quantum Learning´s last blog ..What do you know about Romania?
Thanks, Ian… I hope I will get many more stories to share with our community here.
Hi Lori,
Wow, what an adventure that must have been. At 17 I the only plunge I took was getting a job at a grocery store. You have exceptional courage.
I really enjoyed your story and I hope you write more posts, either here or elsewhere. You are a good writer, have you considered blogging on a regular basis?
David Cain´s last blog ..How to Make Exceptional Chocolate Chip Cookies
@Ian: Thanks for your comment here. I appreciate it!
You’re right that there are many reasons young people join our military. A lot of people I met simply had few other options and/or couldn’t afford to go to college. Our military pays for college after service and offers very good job training, all at fair salary–for women, too. The most “fair” employer I’ve ever worked for was the military, aside from the ‘no women in combat thing,’ which didn’t apply to me. It looked pretty enticing to me at the time, anyway.
Be well and thanks again!
@David: I am a reader of your blog and I very much enjoy your writing. So I take it as a huge compliment that you enjoyed my story and writing. I am soaking up your encouragement as I have have had a very big “itch” to write lately. I just haven’t figured out, yet, where to place my scratch. ; ) Thank you for commenting and for supporting others you don’t even know. I find that absolutely lovely.
Lori,
Your post is really awesome – like you!
Your spirit of adventure is an inspiration to reach toward growth instead of being stuck in so-called safety.
I hope to be as deeply confident as you. I can’t imagine driving in a war zone, changing careers again and again, or even trying most of the things you’ve already done.
Your account reminds me any of us could go at any time, so we may as well live fully, now.
Keep it up!
Dan
Dan´s last blog ..More than enough time
Hi Dan: Thanks for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my story.
What it whittles down to, for me, you summed up perfectly. “Any of us could go at any time, so we may as well live fully, now.”
Right on!!
Be Well,
Lori
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