Arriving Boot Camp the Week of 2/01/09

[Joan B.]

I know there are a few more of you out there with loved ones arriving at Boot Camp this week. Let's give each other support and get it from the veteran moms out there!

My son is arriving at GL tomorrow. He's my eldest so I have 2 more to keep me busy at home and hopefully not miss him too much. I've already started my first letter to him and plan on writing every day with a funny picture of one of our animals or his siblings on the letterhead.

This site is wonderful. I can't imagine going through this without it! I never would have known to send stamps or a phone card with him if I hadn't read it here. Let's hear from the rest of you.

[Sandy SC]

Hi Joan,
Thank you for starting this. Looking forward to the weeks ahead.... Keep in touch. Sandy

[Susan]

Hi Joan,

We just left my son today at the Hotel tonight, he will fly out to GL tomorrow. I can't stop crying. He is the youngest of two.

I cried when my oldest who is 23 now left to move in with friends. But this is soo much worse. I cried all the way home and

then found the dog laying in his bed when we got there and it started again. I know he will do great but it is so hard on me.

I think this site will help me.

[Joan B.]

Susan - it's funny you mentioned the dog thing. I have to put my 1 1/2 year old dog in the bathroom when I leave so I opened the door to the bathroom to let her out when I got home and she was just laying on her bed, didn't want to come out. Usually she is at the door bouncing around waiting to get out. I think she sensed Payton was gone and was sad! Today is a little better since I'm so excited for him to succeed.

[Lisa (Chris and Katies mom)]

Today is my daughters 1st full day at BC. She is very strong physically and emotionally, but I just keep thinking about the 20 second phone call we got last night and how stressed she sounded. Our dogs too know she is gone. The older one is laying on her bed looking at the door and the younger one just keeps looking out the window....our son leaves in April. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be ......

[Susan]

Joan,

Well I got my phone call around 8:50pm PST from Kevin. It helped since my day at work was just crappy
all I could think about was him. The call did help, he sounded good. Said it was 15 degrees, big change from our 60 degrees here in California. They weren't kidding when they said it was a short call. Oh, well better than nothing. I have decided to keep myself busy by starting to write him some letters, starting tonight. I am going to start taking the dog for nightly walks to help us both. My husband is taking it better than me. I guess we just have to take it one day at a time. I know now that there will be crying spells here and there. This does help talking to others. I am so glad I found it.

[Joan B.]

Oh Lisa, I feel for you having two going in - at least you can get your tears out of the way in the same time frame! Think how proud we are going to be of our kids - they will no longer be kids - they will be MEN and WOMEN! I got my phone call around 9:15 Arizona time which I think is the same time as California this time of year (we don't change our time). Susan - Kevin and Payton will probably have seen each other at some point last night. By the way, Lisa how did you get a 20 second phone call - mine was all of 10 seconds. I imagined the RDC standing over them with a stopwatch and got a chuckle because my son was never one to talk on the phone anyway. As soon as one of you gets the division number post it! I'm going to check with the recruiter Friday but suspect he won't have it for me until Monday.

[Lisa (Chris and Katies mom)]

I probably exaggerated on the 20 seconds...it was probably wishful thinking!!!! Also I called the recruiter first thing this morning and was able to get her address.

[Yolanda]

HI Joan, Im GIL's mom YOLANDA from ORANGE CA. Since you are talking about dogs, ours used to sleep with GIL and after he left on Jan 13, he would just scratch at his door and kept smelling his clothes when they arrived. All I did was cry. Thanks for sharing. Here is my email just in [e-mail]

[Sandy SC]

How is everyone holding up? We need to support each other through these emotional times. I am so happy to talk with other families about what I am going through. Day to day, moment by moment, my mind is having a hard time focusing on work and other things. I do share with the rest of my family what I am learning on this site, so helpful to all of us. I have a son 17 graduating this May and a 14 year old son as well as my 23 year old daughter who has returned home for a short time all at home, (my husband too). It is hard sometimes to think about meals, shopping etc this week. But all of us in some way are going through a grieving process, just missing Michael and not really sure when we all will see him again. Not all of us will be able to go to PIR!
A good day to all of you,
Sandy

[Joan B.]

I know what you mean Sandy, it is going to put a strain on us financially to make it to PIR especially since we have 4 tickets that we need to buy but I have been saving up since we've known since September that he was going into the Navy. I've also cut as many corners as a human is possibly able to. We also will be able to use some frequent flyer miles since my husband travels for work. If our sons end up in the same division I will look Michael up while we are there for you and take a ton of pictures of him if you would like me to!

[justme_2009]

Hello Joan ,

My son left today to go to GL , Im trying to found out
will I recieve a call from him ? Or at all ?

I understand you about support , I could use all I can get
and I want to give back too .

Joan there should of been a list , know what to bring .
This site is one of the biggest forums , I ever seen .

The moms on here , has helped me for other questions
I had. This is a wonderful website , which I appreciate.

If you've any questions just ask , I'll try and answer it.

Mom of Ryan and Laura

[Kathy Moore]

Mom of a sailor - Thank you for your comment of, "When, or will, my son be able to call home when he gets to GL Boot Camp?" My son just left for GL bootcamp and I am wondering the same thing. I was told by his recruiter that he would be able to make one telephone call home when they got him there. We saw him off on a plane in Dallas headed for Chicago, O'Hare Airport. So far nothing........................... I am giving it until Monday and I am going to call his recruiter! I feel confident they are extremely busy, however................WE are the MOM!
Kathy