For those of you that don’t know, I have a younger brother named Drew. Drew and I are 19 months apart and growing up were not particularly fond of each other; we were constantly arguing about something. I paved the way through school – setting the “good kid” example that Drew didn’t really want to follow. He was known as “Chelsey’s little brother” to all teachers and, of course, expected to act and perform just as I did. Drew was one of those lucky kids that didn’t have to apply himself very hard and still made decent grades…I on the other hand really had to study hard to get my good grades. I think now looking back, I resented him for that.
I went off to college and Drew had two years in high school without me around…I’m sure he liked to pretend he was an only child at this point. BUT ironically enough, he followed me to Samford. If you don’t know much about Samford…you either LOVE it or you HATE it. I fell into the absolute love category, Drew fell off the charts on the hate end of things. Samford was too by the books for Drew…I think he made it his mission to see how many times he could get in trouble and how many classes he could skip. It was at this point, that I decided we needed to start weekly sister/brother lunch dates to spend “quality” time together. Our dates became almost a formality, rather than an enjoyed time together. Drew left Samford after his freshman year and moved back to GA to go to community college.
Like I said before, Drew didn’t have to apply himself very hard to get good grades…he just got them. So, attending community college was a walk in the park for Drew. I’m not sure at what point he’d had enough, but I remember him calling me and telling me he was going to join the Air Force instead. Really? You just left a school that was too straight laced for you and now you want to join the military where all they do is yell at you and tell you what to do?! Now that’s ironic. But at the same time, I remember thinking it would probably be a good thing for him and that he would do well.
Drew attended basic training in San Antonio that summer and the whole family went out to Texas for his graduation. Watching him walk across that field at graduation, I had never been so proud of someone in my life. He had worked his ass off, earning the honor of helping his sergeant hand out their graduation coins. Drew walked with his shoulders higher, stood straighter and spoke more refined that I had ever seen him do before. We were proud of him, but I think he was more proud of himself than anything.
He moved around a lot in that first year or so with different job options…Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Idaho and finally landed in Las Vegas where he currently lives. Since moving to Vegas, Drew has gotten engaged and is now married, purchased a home, and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. In a few short years my little brother has grown from a little boy into a true man – a man of honor. He’s a doting husband, a handy-man around the house, manages finances for their family all while working a mid shift (midnight to 8am) where he’s the one in charge.
Drew and I talk at least once a week now…not because we have to, but because we want to. We talk about everything – I get relationship advice from him, we talk about finances and saving for the future, we talk about our family, I’m learning a lot about the military and our government, but mostly we talk about fitness/nutrition. Drew has been hearing me talk about crossfit and the paleo diet for over a year now…he has always been someone who works out constantly and watches what he eats, but he has just recently drank my kool-aid and has fallen in love with crossfit. He has a training partner out in Vegas who’s on the bandwagon – someone to push him since I’m not there to coach him through WOD’s. It’s really exciting to hear him talk about his different workouts and new paleo recipes he’s found.
When I first started crossfit, I didn’t know about the militant background that came with the territory. I just thought it was a really great training program. I’ve since learned about all the hero WOD’s and even participated in Fight Gone Bad and a few Wounded Warrior events. Whenever I do one of these WOD’s dedicated to our fallen men, I think of Drew. I think about what he’s doing for our country – he’s protecting me. I think about how he busted his ass in basic training and if he can survive that, I can make it through a workout. Just recently, Drew has been given orders that he will be sent overseas to Afghanistan. Knowing he’ll be serving on enemy lines pushes me even more…it’s almost my way of giving back to him and all the men he serves along side. They fight for our freedom, often sacrificing their lives – and we’ve dedicated remembrance workouts in their honor…least I can do is give it my all.
A few days ago I received the following text message from Drew: “Just got done with the best Murph of my life!! I feel like garbage, but more alive than I have felt in a long time!! Thank you for inspiring me to better myself!! Love you sissy!!”
For those of you that don’t do crossfit…here is the irony of that comment. “Murph” is one of the most well known hero WOD’s in crossfit. This WOD was created in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005. This workout was one of Mike’s favorites and he’d named it ‘Body Armor.’ From here on it will be referred to as ‘Murph’ in honor of the focused warrior and great American who wanted nothing more in life than to serve this great country and the beautiful people who make it what it is. I’ve only done Murph twice – it’s a sucky WOD: run a mile, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 air squats, run a mile. I improved 13 seconds from the first time to the second…just goes to show that every second counts!
Here Drew is, having finished a hero WOD, honoring one of his own and he’s texting ME to tell ME that I’m his inspiration. Talk about a humbled experience. In that moment, I felt like a true big sister…having paved a path for him that he was proud to walk down. Tears came to my eyes in that moment as I knew THAT is why I do what I do. If I can touch someone (especially someone so close to me) with my actions without even realizing I’m doing it – that’s the purpose of life. It was on that day that I’ve never felt closer to Drew…even though we live 2000 miles apart.
Staff Sergeant Andrew C McEntire,
I love you. I am SO proud of you. Thank you for serving our country and for inspiring ME to be MY best. You are MY hero.
Wow... I hope everyone gets to experience the fruit of the feeling within the message conveyed in your blog... You're awesome! I wish I got to spend more time with you when you were at crossfit peachtree... Be well girl :)
ReplyDeleteGreat blog post Chelsey!
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