My son leaves for BC two days before Thanksgiving. Feeling Scared

[Colleen]

He is my only boy and my baby. This is going to be tough. It doesn't take much to make me cry. He has talked about the Navy since 7th grade. Father, 3 brothers, brother-in-law and Husband...all Navy men. I was so proud of my son but and feeling sad thinking about all the coming holidays we will not have with him. He is excited & anxious, I don't want to squash that for him. I am SO proud of him. It is a tough decision during these times but he in certain this is what he wants to do, and my husband and I support him. How do I handle the "See Ya Soon' without the tears?

[Anti M]

Tell him you're crying for joy?

[Stephanie]

You dont... you are allowed to have feelings. I not only watched my only son leave but he is also my ONLY CHILD. Since they day he was born it has been Nick and Mom against the world. But the older he got the less of a mommas boy he has become and trying to be independant. I drove him the 2 hours to Meps to the hotel in San Jose to check in the night before he left instead of letting him go with a recruiter. I held my own until I said goodbye. I was strong but I could not stop my voice from cracking and letting a few tears slip. He PIR'd in May and is now in VA and I am in CA. My 19 year old baby boy is all I have and no matter what "I" and "you" are still mom. I still cry on and off to this day. This will also be my first Thanksgiving and God Help me Christmas without him and I have no idea what to do with myself. They will understand the tears and know its just because you love them. Hang tough momma. We are here for you!

[Colleen]

Thank You SO Much. I have 2 older daughters so this is tough for me. My Baby and Only Son. He has been a momma's boy his whole life. He has never been ashamed of that. He hugs, kisses me and holds my hand in public with no reservation. I have such a Wonderful husband and I know he will be hurting also. I don't want to get too emotional when he leaves. This will be our First holiday where the family is apart. He is the kidder of the family. Telling stories and jokes and keeping things light. I KNOW I am going to miss that. It hurts cause I don't know what in the world I will do without him being home. He says, Mom, I've gotta go sometime and I know this. I would feel the same way if he were going off to a college but somehow this is different I think. I won't have him for Winter Break like a lot of My friends will have their boys. But I know that this is what AJ wants, I just want to handle it in a way that he doesn't get upset also. He is trying to comfort me with words like, "I will have a chance to make friends before we head out to BC", "I have to go sometime Mom". But then he says things like. "when will I get to call home and hear your voice again" and I know that he is worried about me and the seperation he is going to feel. But, this is good for us both and he will ALWAYS be my Boy even though he will come home a Man. I guess I just need to hear from Mom's who have and do feel the same. Thank you Stephanie for your kind words. Maybe tonight I will get a chance to speak with you on line.

[Marybeth]

Mine is leaving on the 17th for Boot camp.... just like your son, he'll be gone not only for Thanksgiving but for the entire holiday season. But I haven't really been feeling sad or anxious about it, and most of that is thanks to this site. The other part is that he was supposed to leave in July, but was then accepted into Nuke, so his departure date got delayed. I was "mentally" prepared for July - or at least I think I was back then.

Now, cuz of this site and the many wonderful Moms out there... I've been able to digest tons of info and have been put at ease. Today my feelings are of excitement and pride....

But then again... come Monday November 17th.... I'll probably be in pieces!!!

Best of luck to you all!!!

[Colleen]

My son too was originally scheduled to leave late summer but got delayed until Nov. I am grateful for the extra time I have with him. But, come the day before he leaves and I probably won't be able to sleep. Although, we are going to the swearing in the next day in NY. So, we will have another opportunity to see him, even if only very briefly. It doesn't make it easier. I remember being a teen and seeing my brothers come home on leave and go back. The tears at the airport were painful. But I realized one day, what am I so upset about, they will be home again soon enough. But this is MY boy and not a brother. The relationship is different and the worries I have now are many, especially with the new President. But Good Luck and God Bless You as you too say "See Ya Soon" to your son.

[Jason's Proud Mom]

Colleen. . My heart goes out to you. I guess there is no easy way to get through this. My son (my youngest of two) left for BC on 10/27. For the first week, I thought I was losing my mind (check out some of my frantic posts :)) I am now in week 2, all I can say is I'm not as a mess as I was one week ago. I found out my son's PIR date and I'm trying to keep busy by planning our "reunion" I can say for certain this site has helped me tremendously!! I find myself coming here daily for encouragement! My son who turned 18 in February has been my rock!! I went through a brutal divorce and that "little boy" stepped up and took the role as the "man of the house" I knew for quite some time he was destined for GREAT things and his joining the Navy, now makes total sense to me! He is a remarkable 18 year old "boy" The pride we feel that they are doing something so honorable is tangible. However, that does not take away from the grief we go through as mom's when we have to "let go." I have not found complete peace with him being gone (I don't think I ever will). Sometimes I walk past his bedroom and still cannot believe I cannot tell him "Good night honey, love ya kiddo." So, I whisper it to him everynight before I go to bed. I'm sure he feels it my love!! Just stay in touch with the mom's on this site, their advice and support is worth it's weight in gold. My prayers are with you and your family!!!

[Colleen]

Thank You Kathy. As I read your message to me, tears rolled out and down my cheeks. This has been a tough year for my husband and I. Just last years my oldest daughter moved to NY, the beginning of this year, my younger daughter moved in with her in NY and now my son is going off to the Navy. I Am Proud of my children!! I cried for days when my oldest daughter left. And she was onl y in NY. I looked at it all wrong, like I had done something wrong and my children were running away. My daughter told me that I should be proud that I raised 3 children who feel so confident in themselves that they are not afraid to go out and live life on their own. She told me I did a Great Job and that is what gave her the confidence she needed. But the empty nest came on so fast! I told my Dad I want to go back 10 yrs and have a "do over". He said, "Wouldn't we all". The pain in something that I will have to learn to live with and with time it will get easier I am sure. I Love Being a Mom. It is the thing in my life that I am most proud of. I am close to my children and this empty nest is just horrible. I know the thing that hurts the most is not seeing their beautiful faces and saying Good Morning, How are things, Good Night and giving them that hug and kiss that only a Mom can. And I know I will do a lot of praying and whispering to God as well as my children. As the time draws closer, I will be on this site more and more. I am going to need to hear that I am not alone because somewhere deep inside, the pain that is so personal is so common for us Mom's. Thank You for the note of encouragement and strength. I so admire all of you Mom's who have already gone through this and so much more. We sure have raised children who are strong enough in themselves that they are ready to go out. Again, thank you and I will keep you all in my prayers. God Bless.