Beautiful Tempest

Recently, I learned that an old friend of mine passed away from suicide.

Adam and I met as shipmates on board the USS Minneapolis St Paul, when he ...
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Recently, I learned that an old friend of mine passed away from suicide.

Adam and I met as shipmates on board the USS Minneapolis St Paul, when he came on board as the new Electrical Division Chief Petty Officer. At the time, we were in a bad place morale-wise, that would only get worse. Shortly after his arrival, our boat had an accident resulting in the death of two shipmates while deployed halfway around the world from home. Adam had a quiet way of making sure those around him were cared for, and an infectious smile in a sea of frowns. He was well liked, and a shining beacon for the crew almost immediately.

In the years that followed, we both sought help for our own mental health struggles, and we often leaned on each other for support. Although our root causes and individual paths were different, our struggles caused us both to be unceremoniously separated from our naval service. After taking a job in North Texas, Adam implored me to come visit during the spring time while the blue bonnets were blooming and take photos.

This past April, stepping off the plane in Dallas to attend his funeral, I was immediately awed by blossoming fields and hillsides full of bluebonnets. As only a military brother could understand, I shook my head and muttered to myself, "yoooouuuuu moootherfuuuucker."
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