Week #7 Semi-Finalist Petty Officer 2nd Class Catharine Lindsey

The guy in the picture is my twin brother, SPC Christopher Lindsey. The girl in the other picture is me. While I was searching through my pictures, I kept thinking "I know I have one of us together!" but honestly, I can't remember the last time we were together long enough to have a picture taken together.

My twin and I haven't always been close. Spending too much time together can put a strain on any relationship, especially one where you've been together since conception. I joined the Navy just before I turned 19 and he was still struggling to find himself. He battled with depression, which led him down a dark path. I briefly feared that I'd have to come home to bury my twin before he called me one day to tell me that he couldn't keep living like this anymore, and he'd enlisted in the Army.

I wrote him daily while he was in basic training, and when he was sent to San Antonio for school, I was elated. I'd been stationed in San Antonio for a few years, and was pregnant with my daughter. I was due to give birth a few weeks before he finished with his school, and since he was going to be sent to Korea for a year, I figured God was stepping in and giving us a chance to reconcile our relationship.

My daughter was born just after 1:00 in the afternoon on July 29, 2005. Chris didn't have a car, but he didn't let that stop him from getting from Fort Sam to Lackland to be there for me. I still remember the tears in his eyes as he held her and said "Holy crap Cathy... you're a mother. I'm an uncle! When did we grow up??"

He was sent to Korea shortly after my daughter was born, then served 17 months in Iraq, and is currently serving in Germany. He's requested to extend his tour, as he is about to be married. I haven't met her, but I've managed to speak to her a few times over the phone, and she seems really nice. The important thing is that she makes my brother happy.

I got out of the military 2 years ago to raise my daughter and attend school to become a nurse. I want to go see Chris in Germany, but flights are expensive, and the school's fast-paced curriculum won't allow for more than 8 hours worth of absence. I miss my brother, but we keep in touch through sporadic phone calls, emails, and instant messenger (when we can - he's out in the field a lot). Sometimes I feel like I talk to his fiance more than him, and that's only on Facebook.

Is it hard? Definitely. He is -quite literally- the other half of me. But I wouldn't change it for the world. My brother is making a difference and doing something amazing with his life. He's contemplating the Physician's Assistant program, would would open the door for him to go to medical school when... if he ever decides to get out of the Army. To think, 5 1/2 years ago, I was worried whether or not my brother would end up in jail or dead, and he's saving lives now.

To borrow from my brother for a second... Hooah, SPC Lindsey!

Sincerely,
(former) Petty Officer 2nd Class Catharine Lindsey - sister to the most amazing twin brother in the world.

***Remember---Each week between now and Labor Day I will select 1 semi-finalist to highlight here on the blog ! There are some great prizes up for grabs. A portion of my annual book proceeds go to ASMBA-STAR--my favorite charity for Vets and their families. So spread the word to all those hard working, dedicated military families out there.***

TO ENTER: Just send me YOUR STORY and a picture to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com