From it I removed a pair of ruby studs. I continued, "These studs are a family heirloom. They represent the past, but also continuity. They have endur...d for generations already." I placed one stud in my left ear. "They also represent my place within my family. This I acknowledge, for myself and for generations to come." I placed the second stud in my right ear. "I present myself to the future. You are my witnesses. Thank you." There was generous applause.I honestly had no idea what to expect. I. ”As I waved back he could see that I was freezing. “Are you okay?” he asked.“I’m freezing,” I replied.“Do you want a ride?” he asked.“Yes please,” I replied.“Why don’t you come inside and warm up while I finish de-icing my baby,” he said laughing.As we walked in the house he asked. “How come we don’t see you over here anymore?”“We broke-up,” I answered. “I knew my boy was stupid, but I had no idea he was stupid enough to let you go,” he said laughing.He took me into the family room. Before I. He was not raised to be in trouble or to hang out with kids who were. I always knew he could get into trouble easily. It’s why I enrolled him in a religious based private school. It took all my salary to pay for his education, but I made it work thanks to my mom and dad,” she explained.“I’m sure they are proud of you,” I said.“I was still growing up myself. Fortunately I used Eddie as a crutch. Now I don’t know what I’ll do without him,” Maurine said.“You could make up for all that time you. Orientation with the NROTC cadre and the upperclass Midshipmen was stressful, pure and simple. They had as good as told her that she would need to display qualities that set her apart from the rest of the Midshipman Battalion.She'd shown up with a gaggle of high-school graduates, and walked through the day with them. She heard about her obligations to the Navy (summarized in one word: graduate!). She'd learned about her obligations to the NROTC program, and heard about CORTRAMID and other.