While Jude was at MEPS, he met with a recruiter who tried to convince him not to go into Food Service. He asked him why he would want to pursue that job when he could qualify for any job he wanted. He followed that up with a thorough breakdown of the job, and explained why enlistees who work in FS often work more hours than anyone else. He told him about the responsibility involved and about how it is often a thankless job. As I listened to Judah tell me about their conversation I found myself thinking, "Wow- I wonder if this guy made Judah change his mind working in FS or about joining the CG altogether?" I was very wrong. Judah thanked the recruiter for explaining the "not so glorious" aspects of working in Food Service, and for telling him the truth about what he could expect working in this rate (job). He told him that although he realized that he was qualified for any job, his reasons for choosing to work in Food Service were solid. He said that he wasn't joining because it was an easy and quick way to advance, or because there was a guaranteed A-school, or because there was an enlistment bonus for recruits willing to work in Food Service. Jude just gave it to him straight, "Right now, I don't want to do anything else. I want to cook- it's what I love to do. It's what I'm passionate about." As Jude finished recounting their dialogue to me, I finally knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were doing the right thing. Whatever apprehension Judah felt when he left for MEPS was erased by this man's challenge - which should have done the opposite to Judah's resolve. When you face a mountain, and you know it's going to be hard, but you still want to climb just for the joy of climbing, that's when you know that you are headed in the right direction.
I'm so proud of Judah. Watching him work in the kitchen I know for a fact that he was born to do this. Jude is the kind of guy who is good at everything. He can build a house, fix a car, write, sing and play a song, sell a ten thousand dollar door, draw a picture, scale the side of a mountain, give a speech about political issues and do mathematical equations in his head all at the same time (figuratively speaking anyway.) He's good at a lot- and because he's such a laid back guy, he could easily be content and successful working in any number of jobs. But when I see him standing in the kitchen, towel over his shoulder, knife in hand, I just see something different. He doesn't just enjoy it- it makes him come alive. It brings out the best in him. It's the thing that he doesn't mind climbing the mountain for.
Sometimes people live their entire lives without finding their "one thing," or without pushing themselves to pursue that "thing" that they would joyfully tackle a mountain for. I am aware what a gift it is to know that my spouse has found his "one thing," and to be able to watch him pursue his passion. I'm proud of my husband for not being afraid to chase after the thing that makes him feel most alive. I'm proud that he doesn't care about what other people will think, or about the fact that he'll have to start at the bottom and work his way up. I'm proud to have a husband who is confident enough in himself and in his dreams to find the beauty in a job that no one else wants. I'm proud that he doesn't look at the mountain and say it will be too hard.
Jude didn't need to earn my support, but all of the above are reasons why it is so easy for me to give it away. Watching him come alive, makes me come alive, too. I know that wherever we go, wherever we end up, be it close to family or far away- it will be okay, because we'll be climbing that mountain together. Steadfast. Happy. Alive.
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