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. Missy B Avatar
    Missy B

    I have never commented before but this post took my breath away. Such a beautiful way of thinking, on a day that is so difficult to keep thinking positively. My prayers will be with both of you during your deployment.

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  2. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    All the best to you and your husband! Love that quote…I think you need to make some original art with it. I love it and will tell my son this all the time as he gets older.

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  3. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Beautiful post Elise. I know you are on vacation right now, but when you get back to crafting Do Your Best needs to become a poster print. Love it!
    Thinking of you and Paul.

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  4. Irilyn Avatar
    Irilyn

    sweet thoughts, elise. you have paul in your heart, and you in his. 7months… this too shall pass. I believe, you’ll go through these months gracefully, at your best 🙂

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  5. LMT Avatar
    LMT

    Thank you for sharing this. Love to you both.

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  6. Joanna N. Avatar
    Joanna N.

    sending love and support to you guys! Just sent Paul an email. What an adventure you are both about to have. I know and have faith that the months will fly by and he’ll be home before you know it.
    xoxo
    Jojo (& Matt too)

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  7. elizabeth Avatar
    elizabeth

    so heartwrenching. good luck to both of you and so, SO many good thoughts coming your way as you embark on this part of your journey… hang in there!

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  8. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    You will always have support from all of us during this time. I know how hard it is going to be, but you will find ways to cope. It will become a routine and before you know it, he will be getting off the plane! I am praying for his safe journey and peace of mind for you.
    “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Phillipians 4:13

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  9. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    I also agree with Nancy about “Do Your Best” becoming a poster print! I would buy it and it would be a wonderful reminder for you in your creative space!

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  10. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    What a lovely post. Bless you both.

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  11. Nora Avatar
    Nora

    Thinking of you today and really admiring the strength and graciousness that you’ve had despite this difficult time.

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  12. heyjenrenee Avatar
    heyjenrenee

    so touching – thinking of you right now and hope the time flies by as quickly as it possibly can. hugs to you!

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  13. Amy L Avatar
    Amy L

    Good luck to the both of you! Hope the next 7 months fly by 🙂

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  14. Kate Ware Avatar
    Kate Ware

    Completely and simply beautiful. Completely and simply inspiring. Best of everything to both of you as you do your best for the next seven months! Love and hugs!

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  15. tina Avatar
    tina

    what an amazing sentiment to carry you through so many different times!
    you are amazing- i’ll be thinking of you!

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  16. Barb M. Avatar
    Barb M.

    Elise, love your blog and my husband is also in the navy (22 years.) No BS, it is tough. One of the great things is all of the mini-honeymoons that you will have with Paul when he returns home over his time in the navy. Best wishes to you and you are stronger than you know. It looks to me like you have great family and friends as your support system. And you are a goal-setter who focuses on more than the passage of time. You will not only survive this you will thrive!

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  17. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    Incredibly moving post. Best of luck to you both!

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  18. A. Sanborn Avatar
    A. Sanborn

    I began your post with a smile, but ended with tears.
    We know you’ll both “do your best!” Just a bit differently. Keeping you “both” hemmed in our prayers for the next 7 months, Elise.
    God brought you to it, God will bring you through it!
    {{{ hugs }}}

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  19. marta Avatar
    marta

    such a sweet and simple post. am sending thoughts, prayers and strength to you both. best wishes.

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  20. fiona lynne Avatar
    fiona lynne

    Have been thinking of you frequently this week even though I very rarely comment here. Sending every best wish and prayer for you both. Have faith. It will be okay.

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  21. Natanya Avatar
    Natanya

    That was so beautiful, Elise, and clearly written straight from the soul. We, your readers, are here for you!

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  22. sarahfaith Avatar
    sarahfaith

    i have to say this made me tear up. you can so do this.

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  23. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    What a lovely post. Here’s hoping the time flies by.

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  24. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    so beautiful. thinking of you and Paul.

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  25. Bri Avatar
    Bri

    I’m sending lots of prayers your way. For the both of you. ;o)

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  26. Joeynumber41 Avatar
    Joeynumber41

    Very well written! My son left for Iraq last Saturday. What a journey we will all be on together, apart. Take care!

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  27. Jessica Segui Avatar
    Jessica Segui

    Sending you peace of mind and as many deep breaths as it takes. Much love and many thanks for the sacrifice you’re both making for all of us. You are both braver than I could ever dream to be.

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  28. gerry Avatar
    gerry

    I’ve experienced my husband leaving me and our then less than a year old daughter, to go out on a Navy ship–years ago. I enjoy your blog and almost feel like you’re a friend since you write so much about yourself–and share so much of yourself and your talents. Thinking about you–I hope the time goes by quickly–and wish your husband–and yourself–safe-keeping and peace.

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  29. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    Best of luck to you both. Thank you, Paul, for your service. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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  30. kaylen Avatar
    kaylen

    This made me cry. You and Paul are in my thoughts.
    Also? Best advice? Just watch Arrested Development 🙂 Lucille always makes me laugh.

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  31. Lourdes A. Avatar
    Lourdes A.

    Hoping the time flies by, and that you keep all that positive energy and outlook. Loved your post!

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  32. mich Avatar
    mich

    i love this so much. will keep you both in my thoughts over the next seven months.

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  33. ihilani Avatar
    ihilani

    I was thinking about this and how much I want to instill this idea into my own children, to simply do their best, and that’s all anyone can ask for. You just sold me even more on the importance of this message. All the best to you and Paul. I hope the time will just fly by!

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  34. Amy K Avatar
    Amy K

    A wonderfully heartfelt post. You too “do your best” while Paul’s gone! We’ll keep you company here! 😉
    Thank you both for your service….all the best to you during your time apart!

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  35. grungedandy Avatar
    grungedandy

    So then I should wish you both Do your best & i’m sure you both will. 😉
    seeya hugya G

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  36. Erin in Germany Avatar
    Erin in Germany

    beautiful post. I tell this to my 9 year old daughter all the time. Good luck to you both!!!

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  37. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I feel for you Elise. Stay busy and before you know it Paul will be home again safe and sound. I’m from a Navy family too and while it is not the same as what you are experiencing, my dad was away at sea for seven months when I was a baby. He left when I was three months old. My mum was new to Australia, no other family here, young and shy and with a new baby. I have no idea how she coped especially as I was a total night owl. Did you see Rachel Denbow’s Instax project of a photo a day while her husband was away?

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  38. Mo Avatar
    Mo

    Sending positives vibes to you and Paul from New Orleans! I’m sure you’ll both do your best in these next upcoming months.

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  39. jennie Avatar
    jennie

    beautiful.

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  40. Barb Avatar
    Barb

    Thinking of you and Paul.

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  41. Ashley Marie Avatar
    Ashley Marie

    This simple post had me in tears. It amazes me how the smallest sentiments have the most emotion/meaning. You both are in our thoughts.

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  42. Marilyn, Northern VA Avatar
    Marilyn, Northern VA

    Very nicely written. May your husband be safe and your separation go by quickly. Best wishes to both of you.
    –Marilyn, Northern VA

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  43. Naomi Bulger Avatar
    Naomi Bulger

    Oh, what a lovely sentiment. I’m feeling sad for you both. I know what it’s like to be away from the one you love for such a long time, I know there will be times when you ache for it to be over. Do your best!

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  44. elizah09 Avatar
    elizah09

    Sending good thoughts your way. Good luck, to you & Paul–you’ll both do great.

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  45. e Avatar
    e

    thinking of you both.

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  46. Robyn :) Avatar
    Robyn :)

    My thoughts are with you, Elise.

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  47. Patricia Avatar
    Patricia

    beautiful. hoping the time flies.

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  48. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    And we here in blogland will do our best to support you! You can do this!

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  49. Kayla Avatar
    Kayla

    this was Beautiful.
    Thoughts & Prayers with you both.
    usaf wife
    -kayla

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  50. meg.paquette Avatar
    meg.paquette

    stay safe paul.

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