Heart Wrenching Boot Camp Call

[Janeen]

7/18/08 We got the call from our son Adam at midnight last night( Pacific time) " I am at boot camp and I arrived safely, then a quick I love you from me and a quiet I love you too from him and goodbye. I am finding this so hard I can barley write this. I hurt all over and the tears are constant. He is my youngest of 6 you would think I would be good at this by now but at last I am not. If there is anyone who can relate I would appreciate hearing from you . Thanks Janeen

[Jenny...CBmom "CAN DO"]

Janeen,
you are in the right place! My "first day" was about 3 weeks ago, these mom's (&dads) are so wonderful! As you can see from minute one they are here for you, sometimes it's hard to keep up! Welcome aboard!

[Seabee Dtr]

Janeen we have all been there, I'm still there, I'm crying right now. I thought because my son had been living on his own the last 2 years it wouldnt bother me, but I have been so emotional and I miss him so much. We are here for each other, thank God for navy moms.

[Janeen]

I don't know my sons div or ship yet how does everyon get it so fast. My son left July17th. Adam is also my youngest and I am still teary most of the time .

[Becky]

Janeen meet me on chat

[Lucie]

My son Garrett left for BC on Sept 3, 2003 and I can remember it like yesterday. Cried all the way home and then had to pull my self together for his little brother. I wrote to him as much as I could and I had his little brother (in Kindergarten at the time) write to him as well. I sent the letters separate so that he would get more mail.......lol........thinking that would help. His little brothers class also got in on the act and they would write a class letter and then all draw pictures for him and we would send that packet of stuff about once a week or so. He would write the class back and they LOVED that. Garrett said the letters were the best and helped him soooo much, so write your hearts content, send him cards, even if all you send is a computer printed paper with family photos, send it all, he will laugh at the amounts but deep down it will keep him strong.

[Nancy(Kyle Casey and Ross's) Mom]

Janeen, I can relate; I received (the call) on the 16th and another (call) on the 17th. Maybe your son will be in the same company as one of mine. I will probably get the (boxes), the beginning of next week. I think I can find out what ship and company Kyle is in on Monday from his recruiter. Then Casey's on Wednesday or so. Hang in there. If you'd like to email me my email address is:
[e-mail]
Nancy

[Dianne (Drew's Mom)]

Hi Janeen,
You are definitely in the right place. No one understands like other navy moms. Andrew is my youngest, too. There is a 12 year difference between him and his brother, and 9 years between him and his sister. We had only Drew at home alone for 7 years as well, as the other two had married and moved out. It was extremely difficult for me to have him go, but the Navy moms and this site saved me!! They will save you, too. We will all be here for you. There is also an empty-nesters group on here if you are interested in it.

As for the address, my son's recruiter called the day after he left and gave me his address, so I started writing right away. In one of the early letters, my husband asked me to put in a message for his son, "Please forgive your mother for writing too much." Then when my son got his first real call about three weeks in, the first thing he said was, "Please keep writing to me. It's all I have to read." The calls are extremely important to all of the recruits in boot camp. I would call the recruiter tomorrow to ask for the address. Don't be afraid to share with us. We all know how you feel ... but before you know it, you'll be walking with your son in his dress whites and you'll be so proud! :)

[Shelly]

My son has been gone for 5 1/2 weeks now, will graduate 8/8. When he was leaving for bootcamp the plane was delayed and he had more time than he thought, so he called me to say he loved me one last time. But I had turned my cell phone off at work and I missed the call. I couldn't breathe when I heard his message. I had just turned it off 5 minutes before because his plane, i thought, had taken off. I sobbed at work, on and off for the rest of the day. But then that night he called me after he landed and atleast I got to talk to him then. He hadn't gotten to bootcamp yet, and had 45 minutes until the bus came. So a couple hours later I got the 15 second call. The one that says, mom I'm here, love you, good bye. So then i heard someone screaming GET OFF THE PHONE!!!! several times. I was like, honey, please, hang up QUICK! I was so afraid of what was going to happen to him for staying on longer than 15 seconds! I haven't heard his voice since that night. Crying now thinking of it. He later missed his chance of a phone call because the one day they could call he was in SIQ from his wisdom teeth getting removed. So all recruits in SIQ lost the phone privilege. I only have received one letter. This forum has saved me because other moms in his division hear news and that helps me alot. And he has written one letter to everyone in the family. That's alot of letters. I just need one more to keep me hanging on until August 8. Just wanted to share this with you and let you know I totally understand. KEEP PRAYING. I do every single time I think of him. Just a quick please keep him safe, strong and healthy. I feel like I am almost obsessed praying for him. But it's all I can do beyond writing him all the time. Never dreamed it would be this hard.

[Julie K]

We have all been there. It is very heartwrenching. Just wait until the letters are able to start coming. They will be just as bad. But keep them all, because eventually you will see a change. They will mature and grow right before your eyes. It is hard, but know that he will make it. Eventually you will get to hear more from them, but the weeks after they arrive where you can have NO contact are the hardest! Hang in there!!

[Cindy- wonder woman]

Sounds like you're a good loving mom! My son leaves in July and believe I'm already a roller coaster of emotions. My plan is to start doing some sort of project that gives meaning. I'm thinking writing a few extra letters my son can offer to other sailors without family may be a start. At least this way, I'm busy and feel like I'm doing something besides worrying . Sending prayers your way.

[Centraltexasmom]

My son leaves in July. I'm already a mess. Dont know how I will say goodbye to him. My heart just aches,but so very proud of him. I'm so thankful for this support group.