And now that he's gone.........

[Elizabeth(MomofJosh)]

it's hard. He called at 12:29 this morning to let me know he was there and was fine. Then he said "You'll get a letter from me. And a box". Then he said, "You MAY get a call from me in three weeks." I said, "Ok, that's fine(in my most upbeat voice), You'll be getting a letter from me, too. We love you." And that was it. Then my husband went back to sleep, and THAT'S when I cried. This morning, I was doing one of his chores and cried through that. I know it's going to get easier, but right now it doesn't seem that way. It just HURTS. I don't cry around anyone else anymore because when I did that, I got laughed at and told "It's ONLY 8 weeks". They don't understand. He was the last one left at home, he was my baby boy(his younger sister left for college last September, but that's another story) and even knowing it was time for him to leave the nest didn't make it any easier. I'm happy and so proud of him, because he followed in our footsteps and joined, but it won't make the hurt go away any quicker.

[Carole]

Elizabeth, How are you doing? I just read your post. I'm new here myself and my only son will be leaving Oct. 5th. I already cry a ton about him going! Heck, I cried reading your post!! But, just wanted to check in and see how you are doing? Should be about time to PIR. I do hope things got better as time went on....that's what I keep telling myself anyway! Take care, and Congrats on your soon to be Sailor!

[Elizabeth(MomofJosh)]

Oh, Carole, it DOES get easier. I can't believe how quick the time flew. The first 3 weeks were the hardest, but after I started getting his letters, it got better. And now, he goes through PIR this Friday! He's a Sailor! Oh yes, it got better. I am so proud of him, I'm full to bursting!!!!!! He was actually supposed to start last August, but I got to keep him a while longer. Didn't make it any better when he did finally go, but it's just about over for me. Or maybe it's really just beginning. But at least I'll get to hear from him a whole lot more. When your son goes, write every day. They live for the letters from home. I started writing the day after he left, so when I got his address, I already had stuff ready to send. He was grateful for that. The other ladies here were a great comfort to me, the rest of the family really didn't understand what we go through as mothers, so I stopped showing emotion in front of them. It was so much better to have a "mom" to listen to me and for me to listen to them. This site will definitely help. I plan on being around the site for quite a while, so if you need an ear, keep in touch. I'll be more than happy to listen.

[Judy (shelly's mom)]

i just read your post to liz!! no it's only the beginning! i hope josh is closer home than shelly is.. grrrr kinda hard for me to go cross country every weekend.. even tho i am ready to! Shelly said she will Prolly get to come home end of aug or maybe thanksgiving. Not sure i can hold out that long.. i am looking at plane tickets everyday! they are not cheap at all this time of year. I went up at easter for 150 bucks.. that was pretty cool

[Fleetwood]

Hi Elizabeth, my baby left yesterday and I was so sick, I took the day off from work! I cried all night and all day! It sure does hurt, doesn't it?! He just called and could only talk for about 10 seconds and that just got me started all over again. I hope you don't mind if I write to see how you are doing, I felt like I was the only one who was feeling this way. Hang in there.

[Elizabeth(MomofJosh)]

Oh no, you are definitely NOT alone, we're all that way. When I was alone, I cried. I never let the rest of the family see because his leaving didn't effect them the way it did me. It was a total waste of time trying to explain it to them. Like I told Carole above, write him every day. You don't have an address yet, but you will and when you get it, he'll be waiting for those letters. They live for that lifeline from home. I check here daily, so if you need to "talk", just write.

[Mary Jo (Joey's mom)]

LOL my call came at 0126. I think they do that on purpose so we parents can't talk too much : ) ANd I am SURE it was scripted cause he said "Love you" at the end!