The strangest things can happen...

[Pegi Davis]

My daughter bought me a "Proud Mom - US Navy" license plate frame. The day after I put it on, a woman approached me in the local grocery store to ask where I'd gotten it. I explain my sailor bought it for me and probably got it from NavyGear.com. She said, "My son is due to leave for Navy basic the first of August and I'm really struggling with it." ... It was as if someone had reached up and slapped me. I had an instant, overwhelming feelling of sorrow. I suspect it had been there for at least a year...and I'd pushed it down pretty deep and refused to acknowledge the fact that I, too, was really struggling with the fact that both of my kids are now gone on to great Navy adventures. All I could do was give her a big hug and tell her about "NavyForMoms.com."
It actually took me a couple of gasps and a few tears before I was able to squeak out the words. Here we were, complete and total strangers, both hurting in a way that only a Navy Mom can hurt. How do you express that feeling? How do you tell them it will be okay? Thank God for NavyForMoms - the stories we share, the tears, the smiles, the giggles and the pictures...all of it. Thank God for Navy Moms!!!

[Paula]

Tushae Peggy!

[Denise Purdy]

Would you believe that I have been driving around for probably close to 10 yrs with that same frame on my vehicle? Mine came from the Navy Exchange. If you have he opportunity to go into the NEX, you should be able to find a variety of items for a sailor's family members. I also sport the Navy bumper sticker on the vehicle, and I love getting a response from folks.
Recently, I was in a little tourist shop in Hayward, Wisconsin, bought some Navy stuff (they have the other services available, too), had to brag to the clerk about my sailor, Bryan. She told me to thank him for his service, and that they really appreciate what our service members do. I was beaming when I left that store!!

[annieNC/NAS]

I have the same plate frame on my car......andddddddddddd us navy.com sticker on my back window....anddddddddddd a hawaiin navy mom sticker on side....proud mom?, me? heck yeah!!!!! and I am not a car stcker type person. I am very proud of my son and his contribution to protecting our country. I love it when someone notices!!!!!!! n then....I tell then about n4m's!!!! annie

[carolinagurl]

Wow, that story just made me tear up for the same reason. I miss my son alot !!!!! And it hurts alot more than I caould ever imagine :(

[Ben's mom Michelle]

Pegi, I am so grateful for N4M. I understand how you feel and am glad to know I am not alone. My son is a DEPPER. He's so excited as you said to go onto those "great Navy adventures". He doesn't leave until March 2010, but is already organizing and packing his stuff away. I have moments where I am also excited for the opportunities and adventures he will have, and then I realize he'll be gone...far away...for a long time...and I just want this time he's still home to move a little slower.

[Denise 2]

I proudly have a Navy mom license plate and frame on the front of my truck and hubby has Navy retired and his Cheif Petty officer plate. Get comments all the time. Had a mom tell me she told her son she wanted a Army mom. Know the family and have thought of just getting it for her. Haven't found one that i like yet. I had my specially made. What a great way to show our Navy family pride.
thanks for sharing your story.

[Angie F.- WA: HM mom]

Hey Pegi, my Statemate. =) Been a while since we chatted. I know you to be a military vet who had lots of her own adventures and is a tough cookie, BUT I also know you to be a Mom first! Thanks for sharing such an honest, sweet story of connection and sisterhood among strangers. That's really what N4Ms is all about. We can all come here, share our laughs and our tears, our silly and sad tales. You can just be real and know everyone else here really "gets it" and can feel like they are not alone in their experiences either. Blessings and Big ((((HUGS))) to you!!!

p.s. Come to a Western WA Moms gathering sometimes and get some more hugs in person! Just missed one last Fri in Lynnwood. :(

[annieNC/NAS]

hey pegi, I read 2 lines into yours and the tears started welling up. I then realized I had replied originally on july 25, 09. The thing is tho..the reason why I came to this site today...mom stories....is cuz he was awarded a NAM today!!
gonna go do some braggin!!!!!

[cpssmb04]

You know, you are absolutely right. I returned today from PIR on 9/25. I had a great time with my son. I told him it was one of the most contented times of my life. Anyway, when I left him, I had the most depressed feeling in the world. It seems that I miss him twice as much as I did when he left for boot camp. I certainly understand exactly how you feel. Thank God for navy for moms website. Everything I read on this site, helped me to cope with my son's absence, and to plan for PIR. All the information was very valuable, so keep asking questions on the site and read all the comments. You will be fine.

[Jayelynn (Great Lakes A School)]

I am just gonna have to get one of the plate frames. Whats funny for me is that my sons father went the full distance and got a new license plate too. Gotta love it. I also love when I wear my Navy Mom shirt or sweatshirt, of course puchased at the NEX when my son graduated, how perfect stranger will just come up and thank me for my sons service. I never thought about any of this happening. Its amazing.

[hippmom]

Your story sounds just like mine...when we left our son after the PIR weekend I cried all the way home...a thirteen hour trip! It's hard to explain but I was a lot more emotional than when he left for boot camp...and I was pretty emotional then! Do you think it's because we find a "man" at graduation and realize that they're not our "little boys" anymore?