Introducing myself

[cindilouwho65]

Hello All,

I'm a new Navy mom, a Navy mother-in-law, but, not new to the military. I'm a former Air Force wife. So I've been initiated into the lifestyle thanks to the military. lol

My son leaves for bootcamp June 5th. And, I'm completely overwhelmed right now. I'm a single parent. He's my youngest son. He and I are very close. I'm the cool mom to 8 beautiful children. He is the 2nd to last at home. And, we've been through it all together. More so over the last 3-4 years. And, I can't even begin to express just HOW PROUD of him that I am. I just bubble over with pride. That is MY boy going off to the U.S. Navy. I tell everyone. Everyone that knows me hears about it. That is MY boy! 

He came to me initially asking about the different services. This has been a very involved process for our family. I'm both mom and dad. His sisters are just so proud of him as well! He asked me to stick by his side thru the whole thing. And now here we are. Two weeks away from him going to GL. *sigh* 

We were an Air Force family for close to 10 years. His sister at home here is still an air force dependent. So we go to MacDill a lot. I will give our history in a later post. But for now?

I'm SO proud of MY son. It's been a roller coaster for the enlistment process. Quite an emotional journey. For me it started when he turned 18. No longer the little boy anymore. He's the best kid, too! Stayed out of trouble. Finished school. Has worked and we've both been paying the bills. We paid off a house and he's part owner (at my request) as well. The most responsible kid a mother could have. God truly blessed me. 

Now here we are two weeks away? And, I'm struggling, too. I cried when he turned 18. I cried when he passed his big test at MEPS. Just proud of him. I will miss him when he leaves. I'm not packing up his room to send to him either. His room stays as it is. He helped me pay for this house. OK...I'm in complete denial right now. He's asked me to stay involved and until he wants it otherwise? I am. Have been every step of the way. 

I cry one day. OK, every morning when the realization hits me. I've already warned my friends that I'm going to be a wreck when he leaves. Bare with me. I do work. Two jobs. Plus I have his sister at home still. So, I will just stay busy and write to him everyday....and when he can finally receive mail?

Send those letters to him. 

There is a story behind all of this involvement and just how close our family is to each other. He and I were homeless for a year. Until we were discovered on the steps of the very church I still go to. They took us in and God helped us out so much! 3 years later? We own our own home, and my son is leaving for the Navy. It was an incredible journey to get to this point in our lives, too. Just incredible. And very overwhelming for both of us. He's a very stoic young man. Hardly shows emotion. But, he is a practical joker. He's been my rock when I needed a rock. I have been his. We've been through it all and come out the otherside just fine! He can do this because I have great confidence and faith in him. And he carries that with him to Basic. The whole family is like one big cheerleading squad behind him. :) He has 6 sisters. :P 

I've promised him that we will be right here when he comes out of the first few weeks of his basic training at boot camp. Right where he left us. And ready to cheer him on some more! The Navy has become a family affair for us now. Every step of the way? I, along with his friends and siblings are right there for him. :) 


I don't consider myself being too "overly motherly" either. I raised him by myself. So if anything? I earned the right and he's always my boy! If he asks for my help? I have never turned him down. With few exceptions. I guess I'm the cool mom he's not ashamed or embarassed by. ha ha ha ha

In the meantime though? He will have his last day at work next week and he's taking two weeks off before he leaves for GL. We are spending every minute of that time with him. We will be up in GL (already preparing for that!) when he graduates. 

I've been reading these forums for awhile now. And, I get great comfort knowing that I'm not alone in this journey with him. It breaks my heart to see him leave? But I'm also realistic and know that this is his journey to experience on his own, too. I backed up when he turned 18. But he pulled me back in. So be it. :)  I've already taken two days off work for the day that he leaves for basic. I want to see him off at the airport. We have everything in place here at the house with bank accounts and bills. We've been preparing for this for awhile. And now it's almost time. :( 

Have I mentioned just HOW PROUD of him that I am? And that I will have a lot to emotionally deal with as does he when he leaves? But we both know once he comes out of Basic? He can look back and say WOW....look at me now Ma! :) For now though?

I'm just going to be the sentimental ol' mom and go into denial until the day he leaves. But I do know that I'm not alone in this journey. I have ALL of you! :) 

GO Navy! :) 

[Sweet_mousey]

Welcome! My son left on wednesday for boot and im a mess! You would think I would be used to this, I have one son in the USAF, a son in combat training right now in the USMC, and a father who was a Marine.......but it doesnt get any easier. Nice to have peopke to talk to.