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Carpe Diem!

Carpe Diem is the Latin term for seize the day.  

I've seen on social media, and the news, some folks complaining about the “would've/could've” aspect of their life.  

Far too often people talk about things they wish they could have or should have done.  

Being married to the military, I find myself slipping into that trap more and more often because my wife's Navy career can keep me from pursuing certain passions.

Learning How To Sieze The Day Is Tough

From under-ways and deployments to the duty days where my wife can't travel more than 20 minutes away from base; at times, my wife's career has stopped me from doing things I want to do.  

It's been tough learning how to adapt to this type of lifestyle because up until a stressful duty assignment at NAS Lemoore (2008), my wife and I really didn't have to deal with duty-days, deployments, and other hindrances.  

I understand many other families have it worse than we do, but that still doesn't make it easier.  

Dealing with the Lemoore assignment, however difficult it was, helped me understand a valuable life lesson...Carpe Diem!

A Trying Military Assignment

In 2008 we were stationed at NAS Lemoore.  

That whole time there was very trying on the nerves of this family.  

We were very limited in our travels because my wife was one of two respiratory therapists at the Naval Hospital in Lemoore.  

So two people divided duty and pager duties.  When one person left, all the duties were left to one person.  

So this greatly limited what time we had away from the base and even those times away had to be scheduled a month or so in advance.

Being Her Support and Satisfying My Passion

In 2011 my wife received a blessing in her orders and we PCS'd to Florida.  She is going to school to become a commissioned Navy Officer.  I'm pretty proud of that! But the road here has been tough with many ups and downs.  

One of the downs was my having to give up on a hobby I truly love, marching music.  Between my wife's career, our family and location, there wasn't really an opportune time or place for my music.

Did I say I love marching music?  

I enjoy everything from marching bands to drum and bugle corps. I even like to see an occasional winter guard show...maybe even a winter drum line show too.  

Earlier this year an opportunity to march with a group from Inverness, Florida came up and that's when some problems arose.  

You see, if I wanted to pursue this passion, it would come at a cost of alienating the delicate balance of time and commitment I have with my family.  

I had to come to the realization that my time here in Florida is about supporting my wife, not playing tuba.

Sieze The Day

So here's where the Carpe Diem fits in.  

I could've just sat around and got mad about the situation, or I could try and make it work. I chose and am focusing on the later.  

I'm happy to report that I've been able to connect with some really great musicians who turned into great friends.  I think this is the most I've ever been connected to a community outside my home state of California.  

And ever since I got myself plugged in to this local community, I'm now able to take advantage of musical opportunities that pop up every now and then; just as long as they don't interfere too much with my wife's study time. I'm ok with that.  

In fact, an opportunity to join a group from Orlando for a parade in Winter Park just popped up and I grabbed it.  They were looking for another marching tuba and I was able to connect with a Florida friend to make that gig happen.  

I've also been able to perform with two groups here in the Jacksonville area on a limited-time basis.  

So instead of succumbing to a negative situation and NOT playing at all, I embraced my reality and have found groups that understand my crazy Navy lifestyle.  It isn't perfect, but I'm ok with that.  

I've had to miss some rehearsals here and there, but that's OK because I would rather have the opportunity to play a little rather than not at all.

Conclusion

What I'm trying to say is, we've got to try and change our mindset.  

Don't give up when things seem hopeless.  Look for what can be done instead of what can't...then do it.  

Don't have “would've, could've”regrets.  Flexibility, family teamwork and some understanding can go a long way with the pursuits of what make us happy.  

Carpe Diem!

About the author

Everett Lopez is a male military spouse, stay-at-home-dad, and Macho Spouse contributor.  His wife is active-duty Navy currently stationed out of Jacksonville, FL.) 

Topics: carpe diem Father Dad Stay At Home Dad SAHD hobbies hobby passion

 

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