PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
"As a little girl, I remember seeing ""Army trucks"" on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to and from Philadelphia to Harrisburg to visit family. I had respect for the military as many in my family served, but there was never pressure or disapproval to join. Military service wasn't even a consideration. Fast forward to the summer of 2002; my flight landed in Philly International and I was struck with ""military urges."" I jokingly ""blame"" God, for these urges, because almost no one in their right mind, age 36, would consider joining the military so late in life. But this risk-taking positive thinker, who bought a stick shift before she had her driver's license, got on the path and enlisted in the Naval Reserves in 2003. That same year, I read football players were visiting injured troops in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. Not having the backing of the NFL or a public relations firm didn't deter me from finding a way to serve the troops. I took my first, of several, volunteer vacations through Landstuhl's Pastoral Services to provide troops clothing and toiletry items, as well as company. I cried a fair amount of time, my first trip. They weren't tears of sadness but of adoration. I always wanted a hero; here they were face-to-face. I loved and couldn't get enough of them! It was during my second volunteer vacation, over Christmas 2003, that I was divinely inspired to become a Navy Nurse. My financial and academic stresses PALED in comparison to combat. I kept and keep things in perspective, during my perceived ""tough times"", for the fact that I'm not getting shot at. The motto of my first alma mater, Elizabethown College, is ""Educate for Service."" Little did I know this would become a way of life for me. First as a volunteer, especially with Special Olympics and the USO, and second as a member of the all-volunteer U.S. Armed Forces. I was humbly the recipient of the 2012 Educate for Service - Service Through Professional Achievement Award, from the alumni association, for service and achievements within and related to various medical areas of the military as well as disaster relief efforts. With further humility, I was granted the 2017 Nursing Leadership Award from the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Alpha Nu Chapter of Villanova University. My scope of influence and leadership have grown as I have taken on greater challenges and responsibilities. Our humility should raise with each promotion as we were once more junior to our current position. My greatest cheerleader and fan, Mom, thinks I should write a book on leadership. What it boils down to is love. Love yourself; love, empower and affirm those you have contact with; address and tough love people's behaviors, don't slam their character; and give and ask for forgiveness. ""Lead"", ""serve"", and ""forgive"" are synonymous with ""love."" It's our choice to edify or destroy people through our thoughts, words, and actions. Leaders choose wisely."
"Janet theophano ""A captivating account of faith, courage and the search for enduring love is presented in a singular voice and style."" M. Volak ""Haiku of Love and War"" is a beautifully written poem, and a raw glimpse into the life of a deployed Navy Nurse. The Haiku story is told with uncensored emotion and a fresh perspective of what is observed and missed while being overseas and how to believe and stay positive."" Nurse Reader ""In Haiku of Love and War, we feel the penetrating sand dust, blazing heat and release of salsa dancing. We, too, miss her parents, garlic, ""fruity shower gel"" and sleep. We feel her pride in overcoming fear and fatigue, and the joy of a band of sisters. With humility, Elyse shares this creative and compelling work that gives voice to women in war, their struggles, their leadership and their sacrifices. In it, she mirrors the core values of the United States Navy: Honor, Courage, Commitment, and we are the better for it."" Ben Mathis ""The author was very candid with her thoughts, feelings and struggles which are similar to our own even though many of us may never have joined the military or deployed during war. A struggle at work with coworkers. Being called in to speak with the boss. Joining a new team and feeling like an outsider. Finding friends both new and old. Struggles with love. The impact that God can have when we listen for his direction."" Diane ""Both deeply personal and universal, Elyse Braxton's Haiku of Love and War is two parts memoir and one part love letter to partners, family, service, and country. It is also a prayer, generously shared. These poems offer glimpses of armed services life and are truly a joyful shout to a love of life. The scenes of romance, faith, and deployment each resonate loud and clear. The clashes of relationship love and love of vocation are bittersweet and very real. The book took me places I'd not have a chance to go any other way. I loved seeing the experience of deployment through emotions and feeling the stretch of personal growth through the poetry. Braxton captures passion within the strict structure of a poem in a unique and compelling way. I loved reading it and learning from it."" John W. Harman ""You don't have to be a member of the military or a lover of poetry to appreciate the raw emotions and vulnerabilities at the heart of this fine work. With each page, you are drawn in more and more while geting a real sense of her absolute conviction along with those feelings of duty, honor, service, loyalty, sacrifice, leadership and ultimately her strong faith which serves as the bed rock of what makes a fine officer, leader, and author."" Kevin Wlazelek ""What a pleasant surprise...Haiku of Love and War ! This simple yet elegant form of Poetry is both timeless and powerful. Follow along with Elyse as she embarks on the emotional journey of a lifetime. Experience highs, lows, love and loss through poetry, as she advances through the ranks while serving her country. Elyse's story is empowering, inspirational, and a timely respite from our crazy, senseless world. Thank you for your service... and your friendship !"" Suzanne N. Fierros ""Embracing the challenges of a woman in the modern day military who faces all the emotions of fear, loneliness and freedom. I have felt it myself! Outstanding work!"""
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