Ok, when does the Niagara Fall of tears stop?

[Beverly]

My ten year old daughter and I have been crying all day long (my son left for boot camp this am).....I know this is what he has been working for his whole life. I'm so proud of him, and am absolutely certian that he is safe and that this is the right thing for him.

Its like I'm grieving, and I know I'll see him again - so what is the deal? How long does Niagara last?

Mrs. Snoopy

[Claire]

Mrs.Snoopy - It lasts anywhere from a few days to a week or so, It will get easier! Be prepared.. grocery shopping, a song, sometimes random things can set us off. It does get easier. The "kid in a box" will be the next hard thing. But after that you have the form letter to look forward to, then letters. I just received my son's form letter today, and have read his 4 lines of personal message about a million times! There is alot of support on this site. May I suggest you go to groups and join December boot camp family. Everyone in that group just had, or soon will have a child leaving, and we all are going through the same emotions. You can also see if any of the other moms have children in the same division as your son. You are not alone!

[Toni (Ship 12 Div 086)]

My son left last Wednesday and things were getting a little better for me until today when I got "the box". It does get better though, I promise. My other son just graduated bootcamp on November 6th so this has been a difficult last few months. Just wait until graduation though, you will be bursting with pride!!

[Beverly]

Thank you for your comments, it took me this long to figure out where my question went.....I'm not the computer techie of the family!

My son is at a hotel at the moment too, he leaves today for the long trip north. He is going to be one cold southern boy.
I could make the two hour drive to say bye, AGAIN, but know that it would just be hard on everyone all over again (including him)...we decided that it would be best if we just save to go to graduation - he said that was more important to him than another goodbye. I hope he feels that way still today - because he left his phone with me, so he doesn't have a way to call if he needs the extra contact.

Anyway, I'm off today too as I had taken Monday off to spend the last day helping him prepare and Tuesday thinking I was driving him to MEPS (teehee...what was I thinking?) I'll just use today as a "mental health" day (daughter too) and we'll get "back into the saddle again" on Wednesday - which will be good for the both of us. Hubby went back to work yesterday after we returned from the recruiting office.

I know my child is fine, but I declare I must be grieving because it brings up all the same feelings that I had when I lost a son to stillbirth. I think I need to find a way to to disconnect these emotions in this situation from the emotions in that situation. I can however, see from the comments on the site, that it is a normal response to grieve this transition. And, I do vaguely remember crying all the way home after leaving my oldest daughter at college.

I will look into that December group....thank you. And Joymar....I hope they are together! I've been praying that mine would have good buddies to bond with and make it through together.

Thanks again to commenting...I woke up hoping to find that kindred spirits had responded. Bless you.

Mrs. Snoopy

[Beverly]

I have done better today, but I'm keeping busy. I took his dog to the vet today for a check-up, something we meant to do before he left - but ran out of time. I did choke up when the vet assistant asked why I wasn't at school today (I teach) and I told her why. Yesterday, I cleaned his room, which I needed to do at the time, but have opted not to do anything more in it today - I haven't even gone in there today. He left dirty laundry but I can't bring myself to wash it (which makes me feel silly). My daughter is better today. I let her stay home and sleep in as long as she wanted. She slept on a pallet on the floor in our room, and cried herself to sleep.

We live in south Georgia, just north of the GA/FL line, near Tallahassee. Someone else who is part of our discussion suggested that we go to "groups" and December Boot Camp Family Group and under that, there is even a discussion for Week of Dec 13-19 Shippers :-) I'm still finding my way around too. I couldn't even find my own comment initially so it took me until this morning to receive the blessing.

Regarding the unknown, the head recruiter talked a lot to us while we were waiting for the shuttle and I went from about to fall apart to calm (at least while we were waiting) - so getting info really does help. This site is helping a lot too, you'll love the Week of Dec 13-19 shippers discussion.....

Lets keep talking, maybe we can see each other through this.....

Beverly (mom of Phillip) (btw - my mother in law's name is Joyce and she is a sweet lady - I knew I liked you!! :-)

[Beverly]

We haven't even gotten to the really wierd part yet! I am a Special Ed Teacher. :-) I teach 8th grade inclusion (Reading/English) and my "specialty" is with the autistic kids and also the MI kids. I help with all of the inclusion kids, but they always make sure that they put the AS and MI kids on my caseload. :-)

I think when I get back to school and back in the routine of things, it will help at least during the day. My school kids are waiting for me to come back - before we left Friday, they were already teasing me that I was going to be crying...I hope that teasing doesn't back fire and the Niagara start all over again - that would really freak the 8th grade boys out! At least its ultra busy at school with Christmas doings and end of semester testing.

Christmas holidays will be the next hurdle to overcome.

[JnRene]

ok...how's this for weird......my son left from Jacksonville MEPS yesterday and I have a autistic child....lol....oh yeah....and I'm on Facebook....I got my 12 sec phone call last night at midnight and his voice actually shook when he said mom????? Nearly slayed me.....
Rene

[Beverly]

I just checked over on the December Boot Camp Families and there are several discussions that share "what will happen". It is very helpful. :-)


I guess my guy is on his way by now.......I need to keep the phone by me for that 12 second "I'm here, I'm fine" phone call.

[Beverly]

Even my daughter is beginning to say "That's weird - she's just like you!!". I do love animals, we have a dog (who is as big as a small horse) and two kitty cats. I love scrapbooking and occassionally find time to cross-stitch or embroidery. I do enjoy reading, but haven't had time for fun reading in a long time.

[Claire]

Joymar - where in Jersey - from there originally myself...I grew up in Lake Hiawatha, then lived in Glen Gardner before moving to NY State

[Claire]

For such as short phone call - it sure does help knowing he is there! The first few days were the worst for me. My son left Dec.7, He is my oldest, and first to leave the nest. I live in upstate NY, north of Albany (near Saratoga).

I haven't been to that area in years! I think Lakewood is where I had family years ago. It is a beautiful area!

[Kristi]

where near saratogs do u live? I live in clifton park. just wondering if our boys know eachother. i know that my sons best friend left ladt week......
Kristi....Tom Ryders Mom

[Claire]

Hi Kristi!
I live east of Saratoga in Greenwich. My hubby works in Clifton Park.. What ship/div is your son in? Mine is ship 12 div 80. He left on Dec 7.