OT...My son is about to leave.

In less than 2 weeks, I will be putting my oldest son, Chris, on an airplane to Lackland Air Force Base.  As with any teenager, there are days lately that I ready to put him on that plane but the closer it gets...the more my heart is aching.  He is getting so nervous about the unknown and even more nervous about being away from his girlfriend for 5 months.  As a mom, I wish I could make it better, but I can't.  He has to grow up and I truly believe that he will be the better for it.  All I can do right now is be strong and tell him how proud I am of him for deciding to serve his country.  I can't fall apart in front of him...that will have to wait until he is on that plane.  I love him so much and will miss him terribly.  I just hope the time flies by while he is gone for both of us. 

They are going to keep him so busy, he won't have time to miss you.  Unfortunately, you will always miss him.  Once they move out the relationship changes for ever, and it isn't necessarily bad, just different.

One thing that invariably shows up in boot camp is the foundation that was laid by the parents.  Kids with strong families and strong foundations really grow and mature.  It is tough to watch him go, but it is wonderful watching them grow and be successful.

You can also take solace in the fact that he will have some of the best people in the world watching over him.  They will push him and challenge him and keep him safe.

It is hot as Hades in San Antonio right now!  I hope you can make it down for his graduation.  The graduation parade will not only move a mother to tears, it will bring tears to Daddy's eyes too!

Kay
(USAF, Retired)

Thank you so much Kay.  I've told him that they won't let anything happen to him, they can't physically hurt him, and it's against the law for them to eat him! LOL  I know that I have raised him the best way possible and I feel confident in that.  Yes, I will be going to San Antonio for his graduation.  It's October 21st and I think that will be the proudest day ever for me as his mom.  He will leave from there for Sheppard AF Base for 4 weeks and then on to Camp McCool in Seattle for 6 weeks.  He is in a Crew Chief slot so his opportunities are endless if he will just stay focused and go with it.

They will challenge him physically, mentally, and emotionally.  He will never forget the sense of accomplishment when he finishes ... never!

Words of advice ... They will throw him in with a group of people. The group needs to cooperate to graduate.  If someone can't make their bed right, make it for them and have them do something else.  Cooperate and Graduate!

October is one of the best times of the year to visit San Antonio.  You'll have a couple of days with him to enjoy the city. 

Kay

I will sure tell him that.  Thank you so much.  I'm excited about the trip out there.  He is afraid that we will only get to spend a few hours with him but I hope to have more than that.

Awwww..... {{{{HUGS}}}}

My 18yo son is currently with the youth conservation corps -- hoping to hear from the NCCC soon.  They are only placing people in Dever & Sacramento, so far from VT..... and if they don't have an opening, he plans on joining the National Guard and spending much of the next year doing his trainings.

Hard to see them go -- but good that they've decided to serve. 

Take care,
Laura

Thanks Laura.  I know there are so many moms that go thru this and survive it...so will I.  It just seems to be happening alot sooner than I ever imagined.  Where did the last 18 years go??

Hugzz to you!  I remember those days like it was yesterday, though my son left for the Army 6 years ago now.  He tells me often that it was the best decision he could make and I'm so very proud of him and the man he has become.  I know it is difficult to let him go.  I think the moment it hit me the hardest was when I went to graduation...I gave the Army my sweet baby boy...they gave me back a responsible MAN.  Hang in there and take care of yourself...give yourself permission to miss him.  And thank you for your sacrifice to our country...for you too join the ranks of moms supporting our military with our children.

Thank you so much.  That gave me chills.  Hadn't looked at it that way.  It was hard watching the news this week about all the Navy Seals that were lost and couldn't help but feel their pain.  So many parents have gone thru that same loss.  I just pray God will keep him safe and out of harms way.  I'm so proud of him.

I don't know what your religious beliefs are, but I wanted to share this that has gotten me through the worrying while my son has done 2 tours in Afghanistan.  The day before he left on his 1st deployment, I was a basket case!  I was crying uncontrollably even though I wanted to be strong for him.  He walked out on the porch, sat down in the chair next to me, and said this...

Mom, you have raised me to be a man of honor, of courage, and to do the right thing.  Remember what you said to me when Nana (my mom) passed away?  I was mad at God because he took her.  You told me that it was just her time and that God had already determined when our day to come home was.  He just gave us the free will to live our lives which contributed to how we died.  Now understand, I have no intention of dying anytime soon, but if I do, remember this.  It was just my time to go home and I died doing what I believed in. 

Those words got me through 2 deployments knowing that it was God's will when my son dies...it was Josh's choice of how he lived.  Oh...and he was 19 when he said this.  Not sure where he got to be so smart!  LOL  By the way...he and all of his group made it safely through both deployments without a major injury or death.  I pray daily for our men and women who serve and for their families.  The rest is out of my hands.

Let me know if you need anything that I can help with.