enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

do your best.

For as long as I can remember do your best has been my family's motto.

My mom's favorite chorus especially.

Test at school? Do your best.

Presentation? Do your best.

College applications? Do your best.

Pulling out of the garage to drive to a friend house? Do your best.

It became so routine that the words changed meaning.

They started to represent everything :

I love you. You can do it. I have faith. It's okay.

I went to college and started to hear the words over the phone.

Finals? Do your best.

Job interview? Do your best.

Challenging situation? Do your best.

Un-challenging situation? Do your best.

The words soaked deep inside me and became a part of my vocabulary.

I moved out to Maryland and suddenly had someone to say them do.

The words had become my chorus as I spoke to Paul.

New rotation? Do your best.

Presentation? Do your best.

Board exams? Do your best.

Paul graduated and became a doctor.

New rotation? Do your best.

Beginning of a 30 hour shift? Do your best.

Going into work knowing your ICU patient will probably die? Do your best.

Today Paul is deploying.

Today I'll kiss him good-bye for the next seven months.

Among other things, I will say quietly, "do your best."

I love you. You can do it. I have faith. It's okay.

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108 responses to “do your best.”

  1. Linda Niehoff Avatar
    Linda Niehoff

    Oh Elise that’s beautiful. Hugs to you.

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  2. Armalite Avatar
    Armalite

    Your post put tears to my eyes. Best of luck to you both.

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  3. Melanie Avatar
    Melanie

    thinking about you and your family. may these next 7 months seem swift! xoxo

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  4. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Thinking of you, Elise! Remember to reach out when you need it and remember how strong you are. Many hugs and lots of love!

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  5. susan Avatar
    susan

    A perfect & very inspiring message Elise …
    to all of us. Take care P. May time fly. xo Susan

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  6. kylydia Avatar
    kylydia

    Very beautiful. Best wishes to both you and Paul. May you both do your best for each other.

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  7. All Of A Sudden Life Is Amazing Avatar
    All Of A Sudden Life Is Amazing

    Best of luck to you both! Godspeed.

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  8. Clare Avatar
    Clare

    We all wish him the best too – he’s a brave brave man for doing this

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  9. Madi Avatar
    Madi

    This post definitely put tears in my eyes. I will be praying for Paul to “do his best”, but also for you to “do your best”!

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  10. Flo Avatar
    Flo

    Beautiful.
    Amazing how so much can fit in 3 simple words when they’re so filled with love.
    I’ll be thinking about you both and praying that the next 7 months fly.
    lots of hugs.

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  11. heather Avatar
    heather

    incredible words of wisdom!

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  12. Seela Made Avatar
    Seela Made

    Sending our best to both you and Paul, may the next seven months fly by!

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  13. ashley maureen Avatar
    ashley maureen

    love & prayers to you both today.

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  14. sara berry Avatar
    sara berry

    Elise, how wonderfully reassuring to have such a bond with your family and a with whole host of people out here in blogland. We are praying, crossing fingers, wanting, wishing, and hoping for both of you to ‘do your best’. Once during a very trying time while I was going through a long deployment/separation from my husband, a very old and very wise woman told me, “Never wish a day away, each one is a gift.” I’ve never forgotten that advice and I hope that each one of your days apart is filled with happiness and hope and joy.
    Much love, S

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  15. Sandi Keene Avatar
    Sandi Keene

    Hugs to you and prayers for Paul.

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  16. Sherried Avatar
    Sherried

    praying for both of you.

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  17. Laney Avatar
    Laney

    What a beautiful post. Good luck to both of you. Hugs!

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  18. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    Great words and support for him. My local paper is running a series on the hospital there. When I first read it I thought about you and Paul. Very sobering insight into the vital role healthcare providers are playing to support our soldiers and the Afghan people. It is hard to read…but really brings home what is happening there everyday. A Chance in Hell Part 2 | Fighting for life | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

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  19. Dena Avatar
    Dena

    That was beautiful and made me cry so I can only imagine how you are feeling right now. You will both be in my thoughts and prays for the next seven months!

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  20. kimberly b. Avatar
    kimberly b.

    Good luck and blessings to you both over these next 7 months.

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  21. Taylor Groneck Avatar
    Taylor Groneck

    Brought tears to my eyes. May his return be swift. Blessings to you both.

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  22. erica Avatar
    erica

    Godspeed to you both. No doubt you will both “do your best” in these coming months. May they go swiftly and safely.

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  23. Rhonda Avatar
    Rhonda

    I don’t even know you guys and my heart just sunk a little, hearing that he is leaving today. I can’t imagine how your heart feels.

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  24. creole wisdom Avatar
    creole wisdom

    Such a beautifully written post. I’m thinking and praying for you both!

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  25. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    So much love and encouragement poured into those three words. I have no doubts you’ll both do your best! Here’s to hoping the next 7 months fly by.

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  26. tara pollard pakosta Avatar
    tara pollard pakosta

    awwww this made me smile & cry.
    wishing you peace, love, happiness and smiles while he is gone, knowing he will be back to you soon!!!
    much love and prayers go out to Paul too in his travels.
    and you, “do your best” on the homefront, record memories for that love of your life and keep him smiling!
    xoxo
    tara

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  27. Alexandra Avatar
    Alexandra

    Wonderfully written.
    Thinking of you and Paul and sending good thoughts and prayers.

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  28. *amanda* Avatar
    *amanda*

    Wow. Praying for strength for both of you. You’re in my thoughts.

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  29. christina Avatar
    christina

    oh my gosh, that just touched my heart. I have tears streaming down my face. best wishes to you both.

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  30. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Good luck for today! Do your best!

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  31. christine Avatar
    christine

    I have tears streaming down my face. Your words are beautiful and I wish you both the best.

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  32. Juanna Avatar
    Juanna

    keep you 2 in prayers (: just rembr your blog readers are still here keeping you company for the nxt 7 months. we wont go away (: hugs!

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  33. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    Oh that is such a sweet post, I love it! Good luck with today, prayers for the both of you and for a safe and quick deployment for Paul!

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  34. Lizeaton Avatar
    Lizeaton

    Love these words. You make three little words sound so important. Good luck with everything. I know it will be hard. I love following your daily life. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Marcie L Avatar
    Marcie L

    Lovely post. Will be praying for you both as you are separated during these months.

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  36. Christine Avatar
    Christine

    hugs! good thoughts to both you and Paul.

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  37. Queen B Avatar
    Queen B

    OMG Elise you just brought me to tears. You are so sweet. God bless him & watch over him on journey……and I’m sure he’ll do his best. :0)

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  38. Ginny Avatar
    Ginny

    Best wishes to you both! May your beautiful words carry you through. Growth comes from the hard stuff. And thank you both for serving our country.

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  39. Amy --- Just A Titch Avatar
    Amy — Just A Titch

    This is beautiful. Thinking of you today, and of Paul. Thank you for the sacrifice you both are making. It is so appreciated. Much love to you and your family.

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  40. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    almost 17 years of military marriage and we’ve said goodbyes too many times, and getting ready to do it again in a few weeks. Blessings to you both, and hang in there as you both “do your best.” One day at a time…

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  41. molly Avatar
    molly

    Elise! This is sad and sweet all at the same time. 7 months away from your man? Do your best. 🙂 Thinking of you both and saying prayers for the best.

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  42. Thinkie Avatar
    Thinkie

    Hug! I can’t imagine what you’re going trough right now, I hope he’ll be back safe and sound!

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  43. krys72599 Avatar
    krys72599

    Sending prayers for Paul’s safety and yours, too, while he’s away, also prayers that time FLIES…

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  44. Christin Kreml Avatar
    Christin Kreml

    Reading this is brought tears to my eyes. I am down 3 months of a 6m deployment (also Navy).
    Just don’t forget to tell yourself this once in a while…

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  45. kristen Avatar
    kristen

    Wow – the tears have officially come. What a beautiful post.
    Love you both so much. Hoping the next 7 months fly by…

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  46. Jessica at Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping! Avatar
    Jessica at Kids Napping? I’m Scrapping!

    Beautiful post, and so inspiring.

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  47. r's adventures Avatar
    r’s adventures

    thinking of you both.x

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  48. shahnnen Avatar
    shahnnen

    both lovely and sad. you almost made me cry at work [luckily i work with all women. ha.]
    good luck, both of you.
    do your best.

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  49. melissa Avatar
    melissa

    I’m all choked up!!
    best wishes to you both!

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  50. HelloCupcakeLLC Avatar
    HelloCupcakeLLC

    My goodness. This was very well written Elise. All the best.

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