My Son is finally home!!!!

[Kristy-Danno's Mom]

Danny left GL yesterday around 11:00am and made his way to the train station. His train didn't leave until 6:00pm so fortunately one of his friends was released with him and was traveling by train also, so Danny had someone to hang out with to wait. He called me 3 times during those hours. All he kept saying was he was so glad to be coming home! He told me that he had learned somethings while being at BC and he was going to be a different son when he got home. He said he missed his parents yelling at him, and telling him what to do! LOL He told me he wanted to get a job and start being a responsible adult. Those words were music to my ears! He told me he didn't want to be the person he was before he left, and that made me very happy!

His Dad and I were at the train station at 10pm waiting for him and found out that his train was delayed by an hour and fifteen minutes. When that train pulled into the station I was so overwhelmed! I saw my son step off that train and had so many emotions. I was happy he was home safe finally, but was sad because even though he might never be a sailor, he walked like a sailor, he walked so straight and proud, and with so much more confidence in his posture and step. He had his utility uniform on and his rain coat and to me still looked like what I had pictured in my mind so many times that my sailor would look like. My heart broke in two, because I wanted to see him at PIR so bad. I wanted my son to finally have something that he felt he had accomplished and that he was worthy of people's respect. He said to me many times, "Mom I just want to do something with my life that people respect me and are proud of me" and now he feels like a failure again. I told my boy that he is not a failure!! That I couldn't be prouder of him. He went and tried his best, but that it just wasn't in God's plans for him. That there was something else out there he's supposed to do.

It's so hard, I go to the group "PIR 10/10" and read about all the happy Mom's and all the plans for PIR and I wanted so much to be a part of that. I am so happy for all of those that will PIR on that day my son was to. But at the same time it just breaks my heart to not be making those plans also.

When he came and told me he was joining the Navy, he said "I know you're going to be mad at me." And I told him I wasn't mad, that I was scared but that I was behind him 110%. I was his biggest cheerleader and was so happy and proud that he made this decision all on his own. When he went to MEAPS the first time and swore in he came home and told me how proud he felt taking that oath and making the commitment to serve his country and change his life. I cried and told him that I was so proud and that I was amazed at how much he had grown up. Now, he has to figure out a different plan for his life and whatever he chooses, I will always be there for him and cheer him on.

His Navy experience in my opinion was not all bad. He came away from there with more respect for his parents, maturity, and can fold and iron his clothes! lol He made new friendships, that I'm sure will last his life time.He has not said much so far about it all except that his time on ship 17 was horrible!!! Right now he says he will never go back, the Navy is not for him.

I'm just glad my son is home and we will go from there!!

God Bless you all!!

Kristy - Proud Mom of Danno!

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Glad that it made it home safely Kristy and sorry that the Navy did not work out for him. His PIR date will probably be hard for him as well as you as they work so hard to get to it. He must remember that he volunteered and gave it his all and that is something he needs to be proud of, unfortunately we cannot control medical situations. It sounds like in a short time, he learned some valuable skills. Best wishes to him as he goes forward.

[Zach's Mom]

Kristy,
I am so glad your Danny made it home safely. Tell him that he had alot of prayers sent up from people he didn't even know. He has nothing to hang his head over. It took alot of courage for him to have even left the comforts of home to join the Navy!

Maybe when he settles in and can talk about his experiences, he could share them with us. You certainly know how it feels to be a ship 17 mom, we hunger for any frontline insight we can get.

May God Bless you & your family!

[Frieda]

Kristy, I am so glad Danny made it home safe and he should not feel like a failure. He is a brave young man. He volunteered during a time of war, ready to serve his country. He should be proud of that, I am proud of him and like Zach's mom said, so many prayer sent up for him. Think about it, it was a blessing that he was already being separated when his appendix burst, can he even imagine being in the middle of some type of physical difficulty when it happened.God and his angels have been protecting him and will guide him in the path that he should take. Ship 17 should never happen to anyone. Please give him a huge hug from ME!

[Julie]

Kristy, I really can relate to your story. I am so happy that your son is home. But, most of all encouraged at the change in him. My son is not home yet and I worry about how he will be when he comes home. When I talk with him he sounds really mature.So, to read your story makes me think it will be okay. I believe everything happens for a reason. Gods timing!Thanks so much for sharing.

[Kristy-Danno's Mom]

Thank you so much all of you!! I am so overjoyed that you will have your sons in your arms real soon also!
I'm having a hard time this morning though :( Since Danny has come home he has a really hard time with me giving him affection. He acts like when I tell him I love him that he doesn't hear me or will change the subject. I try to get him to look me in the eyes and he says "I'm sorry Mom but I am not used to looking anyone in the eyes and I am not used to someone being so close to me." It breaks my heart!!! He doesn't want me near him. He says he knows I love him, but that he needs to adjust back to civilian life, and needs his space! It really scares me. And all I want to do is hold him and let him know how important to me he is.
I guess I just have to be patient and give him time to adjust. But it's so hard! I just want to hold my son!!!!!!

[Anna]

Oscar is coming Home On the 18th of Oct I an so happy I miss my baby .