My son leaves tomorrow for boot camp

[Amy giunta]

Wow I can't believe how fast the last couple of months have went.. In the 18 wonderful years of being Justin’s mom I never thought he would join the navy. How do you let go. Our daughter is taking it so hard they are 10 years apart and she is his biggest fan. I know I am suppose to be encouraging and proud but I want to scream don’t leave. My husband says its like he is going away to collage but its not. I am just going to miss him so much. And if one more person tells me how proud I should be that he choose this I think I am going to scream I was proud before. I didn’t need him to join the navy to be proud. I guess I am just ranting and raving its funny all he wants to do before he leaves is watch the ravens game with his dad.. To them its just another day . He won’t be here for Christmas Thanksgiving or his 19th birthday can I send him cards? I feel like I know nothing. There isn’t a day in the last 18 years that I haven’t talked to him even if he was away I talked to him everyday. And now I get a couple of second phone call. I guess every mom goes though these emotions its just really hard. How do you not cry everyday?
Amy

[lobo218]

Amy -

I know how you feel. My daughter leaves on Tuesday and already there are whole cd's that I can't listen to as they are ones we made together. My husband travels for work (2 1/2 weeks out, one week home) and she is the one I do everything with when he is gone. With her gone I don't know what I'm going to do. My son and his girlfriend are still here but it's not quite the same. I know this is a good thing for her and I'm happy for her but I'm still sad at the same time. I am glad that she'll be in A school in Pensacola as I live in Tampa so I'll be able to drive up and visit. I just have to get through BC (and Thanksgiving and Christmas...!)
Melissa

[Pat]

Amy, I guess the relationship that I have with my son is different than yours, but I totally understand. Justin has made a decision that will allow him to get his feet under him for the rest of his life. Be aware that you will always be his mom and your responses to him and this growth experience will stay with him. As your son, my guess would be that he does not want to hurt you (see you upset) so he is trying to keep everything as normal (in his mind) as he can. Always support his decisions, advise when asked, and then support his decision on whatever the matter. Andrew is my only child, but I have known since his early elementary years that he would be joining the military. He spent 3.5 years in the NJROTC unit in high school. He went to see recruiters instead of colleges, took the ASVAB, signed on, and went DEPS all on his own. He brought home all of the information for me to read. I met his recruiter the day he was picked up for BC. Yes, it is hard, but he is becoming the man that he is meant to be. Best wishes to Justin and to you and your family. Hang in there, read all that you can and find Moms that you can share your feelings with.

[Rhonda]

I cried off an on for the first 10 days, then again at his PIR (graduation.) which I would strongly recommend you and your family attending. Their are a couple of great hotels only about 5 minutes from Great Lakes and we just flew into Chicago and rented a car from the airport. However, if you able to go and spend a couple of days there, they typically get two or three days of liberty. They still have to be on the base by 9 pm, but to be able to spend a day or two with them is great. We caught the train right outside the gate of Great Lakes and rode it into the city of Chicago to tour the aquarium, go to the Sears Tower, etc. It was great becasue Josh brought along a friend who did not have family at the graduation, so we kind of adopted Will too and we still stay in touch with him even today! Josh joined the navy in
April of 2007 and is now stationed in Hawaii. He is 20 and he has a hard time with bonding with his friends when he comes home on leave. They are still doing the same things and acting the same way, yet Josh is more mature and forward thinking. By seeing that your son and his Dad like the ravens I take it that you are from MD? So am I! Anyway, this will be my first Christmas without Josh home. Not to mention his older brother moved to Kansas this past spring. So, I don't know how I will handle it. At this point I cannot even think of putting up a tree. Please believe me when I tell you that the Navy has taken great care of Josh and that did make letting go much easier. I hope it gets easier for you! God bless you and your family and the USA!

[Amy giunta]

Its funny my whole family is here and Justin and Jamie his little sister and his grandmother are playing wii bowling just like its another day and i just keep thinking i less than 24 hours he is leaving i want to scream at everyone this isn't a normal day ... i really don't know what to do tomorrow . how is it that my husband is acting so normal and i am a wreck. and yes we are from maryland but i stand alone with cheering for the seahawks .
i can't believe he is leaving god bless you and your family. 530 tomorrow is going to be the hardest time of my life...

[Anne R]

My son left on November 5th and it was very hard. My husband (at first) would say the same thing "it's like going to college" okay if it is how come I can't pick up a phone or go online and chat with him? It is very different. He can't come home for the holidays or birthdays!!! I can't see if he's okay. That's where my trust in God comes(okay Lord please be his mom too) I think it's harder on us moms not to take anything away from the dads(like my husband who now want's to write all the time and goes into our sons room looking around sadly) but there is a stronger bond between a mom and son and a dad and daughter. I got his box of clothes 5 days after he got there and his form letter arrived 8 days after he started(even though it was a few short lines) they were like getting an early Christmas present. I can't even explain how much better I feel since the letter came. He said "it's getting easier and write as much as we can I love you guys" I cried as I tried to read it to my husband over the phone. OH I forgot I ran back from the mail box like a little kid. Now I cant wait to get a longer letter answering all our questions we had. The past two months before he left we spent a lot of time together, errands & lunches, family get togethers it was the best time we had in a long time(he usually was up in his room on the phone or computer) not spending time with us. Cherish everyday till he leaves and spend as much time together( my husband went to the movies with him on his last Sunday home just to have some time alone with him) because you will be missing him dearly.
PS. I do cry everyday but it's also a happy cry sometimes too! Can't wait till Jan. 2 PIR. I'm going to celebrate Christmas in our hotel room when he graduates.
Anne

[Amy giunta]

So far i have cried everyday its been a week we got the box and the letter and i have already sent him letters i just miss him so much i think the hardest is not knowing how he is doing does he love it hate it or what anyone know what i can expect next.. i just can't wait till i can see him. hear his voice.. Amy