A Week of Gratitude, Day One - The Mechanicky Gal

Sunday, December 2, 2012
When I was in the Navy, one of my assignments was the USS JASON, a heavy repair ship out of San Diego, California. While assigned to this ship, one of the women I served with was The Mechanicky Gal*, a Hull Technician Chief Petty Officer.

We have some things in common. We both read voraciously. We both believe human beings have an obligation to help one another in meaningful ways. We both believe that relationships are things that require work and effort, and that the ones you choose are the ones that matter most to you. We both think Sarah Palin is spiteful, petty, and dumber than a box of hammers. We've both been married multiple times, either to putzes or to men who were completely and utterly inappropriate.

But we're also very different. I have no skills - NONE - in home improvement and repair. MG is the type of gal who would borrow a foundry and a machine shop so that she might make her own fixtures. I can't think of a single reason to do a project or perform a chore when I can pay someone else to do it. MG is disgustingly self-sufficient. I have the Smart Twins, MG got her tubes tied in her twenties. I spend an inordinate amount of time on intellectual pursuits that border on mental masturbation, while MG has a far more pragmatic and practical intellectual life.

And regardless of what we have in common or we don't, she's my sister.

I have no relationship with my birth sibling, and MG's relationship with her birth sibling is superficial. So we adopted each other as our "Sister from Another Mister," and have determined that we will act accordingly. She may need to get her hip replaced due to the wear and tear that comes from doing all those home improvement projects. When that happens, I will be flying to San Diego to provide familial and culinary support. If our respective partners (The Mechanicky Guy and The Smart Man) get hit by buses, we have a retirement "Plan B" that includes living together and causing no end of trouble in the local retirement community and/or on senior vacation trips. When support is required, through good times and bad, we'll be there for one another, just as we have for the last twenty years.

Today I'm grateful that I have such a friend in my life, a friend who is my sister in spirit and who has provided me the love, support and friendship that helps make me whole. I love you, my sister.

______________
*Not her real name.

6 comments:

Megan said...

I'm grateful for the Mechanicky Gal, too. I've never met her, but she so obviously brings such joy to your life, I feel like I know her.

Anne C. said...

I have met her and she really is as wonderful as Janiece says. I always love seeing her whenever she comes to visit J. Intelligent, funny, and practical...
You know the family jackpot I've won, Janiece? I think you won it too, you just had to find her (whereas I had to grow up enough to appreciate mine).

Matt said...

Just as a cursory observation, USS Jason (AR-8) produced some damn fine people, she did!

Random Michelle K said...

I hope to meet Mechanicky Gal, as I have enjoyed my virtual interactions with her. :)

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Wow, Janiece.
Just. Wow.
I am so gald to have found you, my Sista. I have made some PROFOUNDLY stupid decisions, and you have been there, always, to provide support.
No matter how stupid.
And when you haven't actually been there, you are the voice of reason in my head.
And the excellent people I have met through you? PRICELESS!
I love you. (and Terry, too, of course.)

Beatrice Desper said...

Thanks for the introduction!