it's an emotional time

[Judy Atkinson]

It's been a few years since I sent my son off, but I remember clearly getting that box. I took it upstairs to his room to go through it in private. I remembered smelling his smell on the clothes, I couldn't wash them for weeks. It seemed like forever until I heard from him too. It was hard, but after going to see his boot camp graduation I would do it all over again. The pain, the tears, the frustration and the loneliness. I look back and boot camp was one of the best times of his time in the Navy. For as hard as it is, it's all that much sweeter when you see them again. Hang in there and keep busy!

[Karen Gallagher]

yes boot camp is a difficult time for us as parents ( done it 3 times) we worry and think about them. We carry that cell phone with us all the time, forward the home phone to the cell so we do not miss a call. We rush to the mail box (something most of us never do because it is always bills) to see if we have a letter from that special someone. We talk to others (here) about did you get a letter? have you heard from them? when is that infamous battlestaions?

I had this site with only one of my sailors going to boot camp my older two the site was not here. I was more worried about number 3 than number 1 because I had seen and read so many things here that scared me. Although two had gone before and told me of how it was and they did not have any problem.

We as moms find it hard to let them grow up and move on (me included) I know that boot camp is hard for most and I tell them it gets better after boot camp as it does for us moms (we can have contact with them when we want per se)

Each step of their navy experience has it 's difficulties and I knwo that the firs time my oldest went to sea for a longer period of time it was hard for me too, but with each passing time that he goes out it is easier, he has not had that LONG one yet but that is coming up. Each time he goes to sea it is preparing me for his long one. Will I have the same feelings when the other 2 go to fleet I am sure I will. But I will be better prepared emotionally.

My heart goes out to those that have kids in the "sand box" , Japan, Bahran, over seas or any place that is not state side so that mom and dad can see or hear from them frequently. I support each of them and thank them for their service. How would I feel if my child was there? no idea How would I handle it? again no idea. But I would hope that I would not become cold and bitter towards others and feel that my heart ache and experience is the only one that counts. I am proud of all of them

So does it get better?? it is all relative, like life there are good times and bad times no matter where they are in the navy experience. I am sure that my mom still misses me at holidays (as I do her too) as I live about 1000 mils from her and do not see her often.

so hang in there it does get better/diffrent, as you learn to grow from being " +++childs name++ "s mom " to being a "mom of a sailor"

God Bless

[Sues]

It's a very rewarding journey, full of challenges and triumphs.

[Ingrid-Armando's mom]

i couldnt be any prouder to say that im a mom of a sailor. today is our first get together in central florida and im so excited. our lunch is at 2pm and its only 10:30 and i have been ready to go for the past hour. lol

[Tammy (A.J's Mom)]

I remember the day the BOX arrived back home 4 yrs ago,I felt as you did I hugged his clothes and held his cell phone (I could not imagine him without that phone) then no mail or call for wks and finally the letters came and then boot camp was so awsome then we had to leave and he had to stay,it was worth it to get that hug from him,and he is back statedide now but ships in april for Japan or Korea for 6mths plus so this mom is freakin out ,so yes it gets easier but yet harder at the same time ((hugs))
Tammy