My son left Aug 14th

[Michellew76]

My son headed out to bc on Aug 14. I'm so proud of him but at the same time heart broken. I can't get over not be able to tell him goodnight and I love him as I have every night. I'm a total mess especially of a night time does it get any easier. Thanks in advance

[Phoenixmom]

Ladies this first beginning is a Hard One, I was in the same shoes as Most of us were. Here I thought I knew everything there was to know, Wrong.......Completely wrong. what I did know was he had signed up Jr. Year in High School and me and Hubby had to sign papers for him to enlist. He had been in ROTC for 3 yrs that year already. I know he searched each branch took his time to see what it was that he wanted to do. Marines was his choice at first. He started thinking and researching more and decided to go Navy. we Sat before we signed and we spoke to make sure that is what he wanted, His Recruiter Nice Young Man (25 or So) answered some questions, thought we had asked all there was to know not even the case. His Recruiter was the Best he trained my Son all until it was time to go. Although my Son had been to camp with ROTC and had been training all this time he was in Great shape Recruiter had him down at a good weight No Body Fat, good to go. Graduated High school Last May was suppose to go in Nov. of 2017 and then some how they moved it up. and it was July 5th. we had found out middle of June.....I received a call and it was the Recruiter told me Ma'am we have some good News Your Son is ready to leave in a few weeks. My Son was standing next to me and literally had to tell me to breathe, I had stopped Breathing it was like my Heart was in my throat. He was Breathe Mom Breathe. He took the phone and talked to the Recruiter and said let me call you back. Recruiter wanted to come over to make sure I was ok, but my Son told him he would handle it. I was ok I was in shock because the reality was he was leaving within 2 weeks. Of course he spoke to me and Dad and said he was ready, he was fit, He had been tested already and had passed the PFA so Everything was set. I had no worries on him not passing my Emotions were of him Leaving, My Youngest Leaving Home, There was no More Bud for me  to cook for or to wash his clothes, to Joke with Laugh with it was all going away. Me and My Son were Best Buddies, That is why We call him (BUD). The Day he went to the Hotel, we took him to the Recruiters Office and he said he would call when he could leave. All the Family Gathered at my House that day, everyone went to all different Pizza Places because that is what he wanted. We had Mexican Pizza, Wood Burning Pizza, every pizza you could think of. The Guys went to pick him up and we Celebrated. That Night when he had to be back all his friends and all the Men all caravaned to the Hotel and said there good byes, good luck and so on. Me and the Ladies stayed behind  and all I could do was cry. LOL That what Im doing Now, Every time I think of this Day it makes me cry, Its so fresh in my Mind like it was yesterday. That Night my son had called and asked me if I was Ok, he said Mom please dont worry and dont cry, I will be fine. You may not hear from me for a Bit but when I can I will call or write. At the Swearing in the Next Day Me and My Husaband took seperate cars, I was good we video taped it took pictures, My Husband was amazed, then I truned around and Moms were Holding on to their Son/Daughters and crying then forget it I lost it and began crying myself, I had to Leave because I didnt want my Son to see me do this, I guess it was a good thing I drove alone.

[Phoenixmom]

So hears to say this first beginning was a world of tears stress/worry Unsure.....Every Emotion there is it will be right there. This site was a Godsend to me, after I found the nerve to join, I was scared everyone would think I was crazy.....But come to find out I was Normal and every Mom was feeling the same. I found a Group who understood, because every one I spoke to friends, Co-workers, Family  didnt come close to understanding how I was feeling. It took me a good month of him being in BC  before I started feeling ok, Then that was when I decided to Gut his room to stay busy, then that is when My Hubby thought I was Crazy ! LOL! I so remember that face when he seen my Son's Room. LOL! So Please Ladies know we all went thru it maybe in different Phases or different ways but it is all Normal and I survived as you will also, I dont believe we ever Lost One Yet! so Welcome and Please come talk and Post.

[Gelique]

Michellew76, I felt exactly the same way you’re feeling a month ago when my son shipped out.  There are so many competing emotions: Pride, joy, fear and sadness to name a few.  As Phoenixmom noted, finding this site was a huge help and offered great peace of mind.  It’s so good to know that we are all sharing this common experience and that there are moms who can offer assurance, wisdom, guidance and comforting words.

So does it get easier?  Surprisingly, yes!  I still worry, of course, but hearing his voice on the phone and receiving his letters puts me at ease.  You may find that writing to your son often is just as beneficial to you as it will be for him (you’ll soon receive the form letter with his mailing address).  Time goes so quickly, and before you know it, you will see him again at PIR/Graduation as proud a U.S. Sailor.  Hang in there, say a lot of prayers and have faith that everything will be just fine.

[InTheNavyMom]

I get it, Michellew76.  My boy shipped out Aug 13th.   It's a shocking adjustment and onslaught of emotions, even if you think you are prepared!     Praying, praying, crying some, searching for info online....all things about our future sailors. It is terribly hard right now.

[Michellew76]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I hate that everyone says he's gonna be just fine. I know he is going to be fine, it's just heartbreaking that I can't tell him goodnight or that I love him every night like i use to. It kills me inside knowing that I cant talk to him for 3 weeks.

[lemonelephant]

Go ahead and write letters or one long one that you add to each day until you have several pages that still mail for 50 cents. That way you will have them ready to send when you get the form letter. You can number them so you know which one/s to send first. That sometimes helps with not being able to communicate this early.