WTPS Tampa Bay, News Channel 10 (CBS)
March 20, 2022FOX 13 News Tampa Bay
April 2, 2022You’ve likely heard this before, “it’s the little things that matter most”. When we were kids, this is one of the intangible gifts my mom gave us. She shared her observations and brought our attention to the almost imperceptible movements of life that occur in our natural world. Without realizing it, this was subtly incorporated into my own life by way of noticing the beauty around me. A chorus of birds greeting the day, the incessant activity of squirrels as they forage for their groceries, and discovering the first flower bud as the earth welcomes Spring are things that make my heart sing. Friendships have taken priority over chores, and somehow those always get done, too. One of the things I failed to make time for was visiting my brother. I thought we had plenty of time… in the future.
Not too long after Chris died, I was given a pair of his boots. I remember hugging them so tight, just as I would have hugged him. I had no idea how much my brother’s boots would mean to me, and I’m so incredibly thankful to have them! The memories of the man who wore them are priceless! Not only do his boots represent him, but they belonged to him. He wore them. With that alone, the stories that remain in the silence of my mind surface as I recall several occasions we were able to get together. Chris had a bounce to his step when he was excited. Whether he picked me up from the airport or we were planning an adventure and he was scurrying around, his gait resembled a slow skip. He literally had happy feet! There were a few times when he came running towards me with this little foot waltz and outstretched arms greeting me with a sing-song voice, “Sissy”.
Chris loved adventures! While we can no longer meetup, my brother’s boots, tucked in a backpack, have accompanied me on many trips. “We” have gone on hikes in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and went snowshoeing in a winter wonderland in preparation for a marathon march in the desert of New Mexico. They made the journey to Ireland in 2016 as the Emerald Isle commemorated its centenary celebration of Easter Rising. Chris’ boots were with me on a 43 mile bike ride in tribute to his 43rd birthday. The backpack holding my precious cargo joined me on a ski lift in Lake Tahoe and a sunset hike in Arizona. They made the journey back to the hospital where my “baby” brother was born in Honolulu, Hawai’i.
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, known affectionately as “Iz”, was a beautiful Hawaiian singer. You are probably familiar with his version of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’. His music was introduced to me many years ago by a dear friend from O’ahu. At the beginning of Iz’s song, ‘Starting All Over Again’, he is “talking story” and talks about his life-altering losses. In his very gentle voice, he is poetic as he speaks about the fear he felt when he lost his parents and siblings. He wasn’t scared of dying himself because he believed our bodies are only a part of who we are. Although he wasn’t sure if his audience would relate, Iz went on to say he believed we live on both sides. He viewed his own death from the perspective that he was just going ahead to set the table and would be waiting for the time when he was reunited with his loved ones and friends who would join him. In the next letter I am sharing with you, Chris was writing about our moving plans many years ago and how we would be closer geographically. While we no longer have the option of being in close proximity physically, I’ll keep having adventures with my brother’s boots and choose to believe that one day he, and maybe even Iz, will welcome me to the table that’s already set.
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Saturday
04 Jan 97
May this letter find you well in the young New Year! I’m doing okay, well at least sliding by for the moment. We (Our Division) had our pictures taken. We get them before graduation I think, so I will not be able to send you one, but it would be nice to see you. I’ll give you a big “Popeye” picture so you can put it on your new mantle in Phoenix & say, that’s my little brother, the “SAILOR”!
I’m sorry that your trip to J-ville wasn’t as smooth as you would have liked it to be. But sometimes things happen that we don’t understand & have to learn to live with.
I had my first P.T. test Friday afternoon & passed gigantically, since I have been working out in the morning w/ the SEALS. I feel that I’m starting to get back into shape & in tune with my body once again! I just wish we could run more, but in Boot Camp they will not let us, only every so often.
Hey, remember me telling you about a girl I had met a couple of years ago (3 1/2) at the beach in the summer, that was visiting from Iowa. Well, I wrote her last week w/ no hope of reaching her, but she wrote me back within 3 days! I was so excited, because she’s the only girl that I have ever really had on my mind, about “the little blue house on the hill, with a swing in the tree, a dog in the yard, & a station wagon in the driveway full of kids.” Just kidding, I’m trying to visualize your smile! But seriously, I was surprised to hear from her & hope to keep in touch!
If I go to BUDS (SEAL school) after school in VA, it will be in San Diego, CA. So Phoenix isn’t too far away, so you’ll never be far away from me. That’s wonderful.
Thank you for all the cards & letters & all the attention you have given me! It is always really appreciated & I can’t explain how it feels to be able to have someone care about you & give you attention when it seems you’re in a world all alone.
Hey, if you could, could you send me a little info in a card about 2 cars (Ford Probe & Eagle Talon, 96’s or 97’s), but not too thick in the card, because our Instructors will make us open the mail in front of them & throw away material such as that! We have 2 little drawers that we lock & no one is allowed in them, so that’s where all the guys put the “ILLEGAL” stuff we get a hold of or brought w/ us!
By the way, I’m no longer sick, at least for a while I feel somewhat decent again! Let me run now, so I can get some sleep.
Love, Chris Campbell
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Soon,
Cindy
Proud Sister of Christopher George Campbell, US Navy
September 16, 1974 – 8/6/11
“The greatest casualty is being forgotten” -WWP