So proud. Yet so very sad

[Jmama]

Hi everyone. My son just left for bc this past Monday so it hasn't been but 2 1/2 days but I can't hardly stand it that he is over 800 miles from home. Life as we know it for the last 19 1/2 years is no more. I don't know how to cut these apron strings. How am I going to get through this and that first phone call was so short and I hated that I couldn't ask anything. I am so proud that he is taking this journey and I wouldn't even wish that he come home because he needs and wants this for his life. I just need help with dealing with these growing pains.

[cmacdon]

My daughter left on Tuesday for Boot Camp.  It was really weird because my husband was fine when she left and said for the first time I can sleep tonight and not worry about her.  Well, I didn't worry about her until that night!  I got the call and all she had to say was "Hi Mom".  It wasn't the words it was what it sounded like to me----I am here and I am tired and OMG I hope this is ok?....at least that is what I heard from the Hi Mom!  Anyway, each day it seems to get harder for me.  I am used to text messages everyday, FB posts all the time, and the I Love you Mom every night!  I know she is ok but it is hard to let her go...I keep saying She is making a difference and serving our country for others!  Ohhhhhh can everyone say that about their kids?  Yeah, It keeps me going!  Thanks for everyone's children serving our country and being Mothers Day this weekend, we should all be proud of our children and what they are doing. Mothers Day is even more special this year to know raising her for these 19 years is paying off and she is really growing up!

[single mom tara]

My son also left monday. I am so lonely without him. I do not get any text messages now. I work most of the day so that keeps my mind busy. When I home in the evenings is when i get sad.

 

[Star (S-11, D-177; PIR 6-15)]

Hello Ladies....

I was just passing through and just wanted to drop in a second.  Everything you are feeling from the time they left, to their 20 second phone call,to the kid in the box without the kid, to the rolled up pants, and writing your letters and mailing them, then reciving his/her first letter to your very first phone call, will all come at you like a huge emotional rollercoster.  You are NOT alone.  We have all gone through it.  I am in a group of very special ladies like yourslef, that our loved ones left around April 10-11-12.  We have formed facebook division pages which works much better than these forums, but these are good as well.  We have shared so many stories daily, and many many times a day and have helped each other get through.  We have laughed together, cheered together, been sad together, and even cried together.  Our recruits will be hitting there 33/33 this Sunday. They will be EXACTLY half way through.  We are getting letters every Thursday now and we all just received our first real phone call (25 minutes) yesterday! A few things that isn't always mentioned on these forums is you will find that you will make friends with the ladies and some dads in your divison, and brother division.  You will find yourself online on these forums whether it be here in your group, or the main bootcamp group (which is awesome), or a division group when  you get his form letter, or you'll find yourself on your facebook division group, very very often.  You will find that you have are will be loosing contact with yoru 'other - non navy' friends and it will be a sudden hit in the face.  The truth is, they don't really understand. You will find you will ALWAYS be talking about yoru SR. ALWAYS! And the truth is, people (non navy) will get tired of hearing it; but we don't care.  You will hear your SR say that everyone is having their wisdom teeth removed.  And the saddened part, that we are experiencing now, is we are almost half way through, and still some very strong, goal oriented honorabled individuals are getting sent home because of things found in their past. (ADHD, Asthma, etc.).  It's truly disheartening.  But you must stay focused. Keep yourself busy adn write that SR EVERY day.  If you work for a company that allows it, put out note cards and ask your fellow employees to write to the SRs. Especailly those that don't get mail.  Ask yoru SR in your letter.  They will know who they are. They needs letters too.  Send them a blank calendar fro the three months they are there.  Print it out on paper; this allows them the opportunity to keep track of things.  AND watch the Recruit Training Command facebook page. The upload random pictures weekly.  Last week, I got to see my son! Good luck ladies............... Hugs! 

[Jmama]

Here is the prayer I wrote for my son to put in his Bible so he will know I will pray this everyday over him that he is in bc. It's not only for him but it does help me and give me some peace through this sadness. Please feel free to use it to pray over your recruit if you want.....tweak it however you need to be personal for you. I taped it to my wall on my side of the bed with his picture as a reminder to pray everyday not that I need a reminder. :)

Lord, watch over my son as he embarks on a new journey for his life.  Keep him ever mindful of your presence.  Thank you for going before him and giving him favor with you and others during this season of his life.  Let your light shine from him as he encounters those around him.  Bless him with strength, joy, and endurance.  Thank you Lord that he is a mighty man in You full of grace and integrity.  Thank you for your protection of safety over his life.  I am a grateful mom that you allowed his dad and I these past 19 years of raising him and teaching him what's right and wrong and how to make the best choices.  Help me now to release him from these apron strings to step out into this new adventure.  In Jesus name.

[tdbridges]

Love your prayer...brought tears to my eyes becasue I have said a prayer for each of my kids every night but this one is so moving and says it all...thank you for sharing!

[tdbridges]

Hi Jmama,

My son has been gone just over a week so I know exactly what you are feeling.  You know its time and you are so proud but it hurts so bad.  After I got the middle of the night phone call I wanted to be able to hug him and tell him it would all be okay and cried myself to sleep yet again.  I still "talk" to him all the time and I write to him every day.  Like you've read it does get better but the I know I will have moments not just during BC but throuhgout his time with the Navy.  I have sent a son to college and cried and missed like crazy but at least I knew what he was doing and could call or text whenever we wanted.  This sight has been so helpful and given me so much comfort just in the short time I've been here.  Knowing things will never be the same is so hard even though it is the way it is supposed to be.  Who knew being moms would be so full of joy and so full of pain...Cry when you feel like crying--I still do over silly things, songs, and let yourself feel what you are feeling.  Fortunately, my husband totally gets me and lets me have my moments...reading other's posts here has let me know what I'm feeling is pretty normal and that really helps.  Join groups, chat, and make friends...

[Jmama]

Ladies! I just received the address from his recruiter. He's in SHIP 09 and DIV 210. Did any of you find out anything yet? So excited that I have an address to write? My day just got brighter .

[navymummy_S9-DIV210]

Hi Jmama i feel you, my daughter just left this past wednesday and it's hard, i keep reminding myself to be strong but i have my moments and it's really hard. I miss my sailor deeply. I cannot wait till she graduate on this summer and see her face again. It's been hard to eat and i've been just thinking a lot. And i have been writing even if i don't have her address yet, once i receive her letter i will mail all my letters to her. But hang in there Jmama and everyone and I'll do the same..

[tdbridges]

My son was a hugger and an "I love you Mom" sayer no matter who was around.  When he was in middle school his friends razzed him pretty good but before long they were saying "love you" to there moms all the time too.  I miss his hugs and love you's but I know when he as a second to think anything besides Navy, he is thinking it--or I tell myself that anyway :)  I tell him good night and love you in my heart and head every night instead of by text when he was out or words when he was at home and it comforts me a little.  I know he will be a different man when I see him at PIR but the hug will feel the same and I can't wait even though I have many, many weeks to go.  He walked with his head up and so tall and proud even with tears in his eyes when he walked into the recruiters office to leave for MEPS.  Knowing he was happy with his decision makes this so much easier and while we didn't talk about everything, we didn't leave anything important unsaid.  For that I am grateful...I know he is homesick and at times I am sure he is miserable and second guessing his decision  but in the long run the Navy is the best thing for him.  I have started a journal just to jot thoughts and feeling down that I don't want to add to his letters and being on here is the best therapy.  See, I feel like I'm rambling and I know there is someone who feels the same way and is smiling right now.  I know I do when I read what everyone says because it all hits home and makes me feel so much better!!!! 

Happy Mother's Day to all...for me it will be bittersweet; I'll have 2 of my kids and my mom with me but 2 of my kids are off doing the growing up thing :-) 

[Tina (4/9/12)]

tdbridges, wow i am so amazed with the strength you had to write that comment about your son leaving. i know exactly how you feel.  my son didn't have tears in his eyes when he gave me a hug but he did when he gave our neighbor a hug, she has been like a grandmother to him, then we all cried.  i just hope that this is what he really wants because like you i will be ok if i know he is ok.  i wish you a Happy Mothers Day and I hope we all get to hear from our SR tomorrow.  I have three more weeks until i see my son.

[mom_of_josh]

Hi everyone.  I'm new to this group and to the Navy life.  My son left for bootcamp today and I am filled with mixed emotions.  I was very glad that I was able to attend his swearing in ceremony and be part of this big day for him but it honestly took everything I had to keep it together.  It was especially hard watching him get on the shuttle to the airport and see it pull away with him.  He is my only child and I raised him by myself so coming home to an empty house tonight was pretty hard.  I'm glad I found this website.  I really think it is going to help as I learn to adjust to all the changes.

 

[kathyrc(Ship03DIV175)PIR 6/08/12]

tlwebby - Welcome....It really does get better with time.  Just try to stay busy, it helps a lot. Hang in there, before you know it you will be talking about PIR (their graduation) and it will be so exciting!