Brothers Graduation Day!

[HISsister]

Today my baby brother graduated.

Like I said on my first post, i wasnt able to make it. That defiantly doesnt change how happy and proud i am of him. I cant wait to hear his voice when he gets to gets together with my parents.

im anxious to finally hear that voice that i havent heard in two months.

These past 6 months have been so bittersweet.

Lets start on the day he told me he was joining the Navy. Ive been supportive since day one. I wanted to be the one person that didnt break down in tears because he was joining. My brother has been wanting to join since he saw one of our uncles in the the navy. He would go with my aunt to pick him up on base, watch him get ready with his uniform, and my uncle would take him on the boat. My brother would always say "I want to be a sailor just like him." I saw it like this is something hes been looking forward to doing, and finally did. i coudnt be any prouder of him.

Flash forward to his last sworn in (sorry i dont know the proper terminology, as long as you understand me) he had been there since 5 am and i got there around 7 am. I drove 1.5 hours to get to him. We waited and waited around until finally he got sworn in. Now that i think about it. i think i was more in shock that it was finally happening and that would be the last time i would see him until graduation. I left shortly after the sworn in and i seriously must have hugged him about 100xs. i honestly didnt want to let go and it was easier to hug him then to see me cry. I got in the car to drive the 1.5 hour drive and the first thing i did before turning on the car was to cry. I just cried in the parking lot. I got home and couldnt stop thinking about him. He called me that same night and i could hear it in his voice that he was so lonely and thats not something my brother is used to. My parents my brother and i are always together, we always have one another there, now my brother had no one but complete strangers. I wish i could have gone to just be with him, or even be parked right outside the hotel to show him he isnt alone, that i was right next to him. Like it told him that night "you are never alone, i will always be in your heart. i will be next to you every step you take at bootcamp." My brother called me for the last time before bootcamp the following day, we spoke a bit and of course i broke down right after i hung up. 

I never thought i would have missed him this much. i miss everything about him; his smile, his hug, his laugh. My brother has this way of eating that even if you arent hungry and hes eating infront of you, you get hungry. He eats his food in a way that he is savoring every single bit. Seriously everything reminds me of him; TV shows, music, movies, his cat and dog at home, food, every gym i drive by, even scents (seriously)

I just watch the live stream and watched my baby (brother) graduate. I am so proud of him to make it to the end. Now he starts the next chapter of his career and might be just as difficult, but i know he has it in him. 

i love you baby brother. i miss you like crazy!!

always

HISsister

[lemonelephant]

Congratulations to you and your Sailor!

[lemonelephant]

Check your My Page.

[Coach Shelia]

Sending prayers and well wishes your way today and forever! HISsister, thanks for sharing! Life does change for the entire close-knit family. I'm so glad he has you as a support!