When does it stop

[GANukeMom(EM mom)]

To the veteran moms,

When does the hole in your heart, the missing of your SR stop?

Just when I think I'm getting the hang of this Navy Mom thing, I wake up and I have this HUGE hole in my heart and missing my son like crazy.

He shipped out 7/2. His PIR can not come fast enough. I know he will not be back home until Thanksgiving, but he will be closer to home and we will actually be able to communicate.

[JackieD]

GANukeMomma - Hang in there.  It will get easier.  The beginning is the hardest, the first couple of weeks.  But then you get the first letter and they start arriving weekly, I believe around the 3rd week.  Also, around the 3rd-4th week you'll receive the first phone call, it can be as short as 10 mins or as long as 45 mins, just depends on what they are allowed, but the relief of hearing his voice and how he's doing is all that matters.  You'll feel more "connected" once these start to happen.  You'll look forward to the "I'm A Sailor" call and you'll know that you're that much closer to seeing him at PIR. 

I missed my son so much, I would cry everyday on my way to work, when I heard a song that reminded me of him and everyday I would walk into his room just to "look", even though nothing had changed.  We're moms, we worry about our kids all the time, it's normal, but it will get easier. 

This is a great site to find information, get support and let it all out.  We've all been there or are going through it or will be going through it.

[dawny64]

GANukeMomma!

Awe Momma don't worry my hole in my heart didn't close until after PIR and i got my 1st hug. Please know that

all the different emotions you are experiencing are normal and no one knows exactly what you are going through but

another Navy Momma. God Bless You Sweetie and please no that No News is Good News.

[ohcheet (nuke MM3)]

I'm right there with you!!

Day by day...just keep writing and hold on to your other one (or one of the pets) if she's too squirmy!!LOL

Vent....write....clean....cry...breathe!!!!

And stay on these boards!! I can't imagine doing this without it!

Love to you.

 

[Barbydahlzz ALUM 09/075 USS JPJ]

when does it stop?  unfortunately never... BUT the hole does get smaller... you are about to ride the scariest fastest hilarious exciting roller coaster of your life.... My sailor is in OPS school now, and has been away from home since November last year... has YET to be home on leave..  Have you started writing letters to your SR yet?? if not START NOW... write every day... what do you write about??  EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING... and if you run out of stuff to say...  write about that... our sailors LIVE for mail call while in boot.. and once you get your SR's address.... MAIL EVERYTHING..   welcome aboard Navy Mom.....  

[proudmom (ship 11 div 252)]

GanukeMomma,

Being a Military Spouse and having 7 deployments under my belt... thought shipping my son off to BC would be a breeze.... WRONG.  This in MANY ways is so much more difficult to cope with.... I KNEW I was going to have a difficult time with him leaving to begin with... much less going into service!

 

BUT... it does get easier!!

[KathyMmom]

While you learn how to deal with it, I don't think the hole in your heart will every close completely.  It gets filled in a bit with each hug when you are with them, and each phone call, or even the text that says 'I'm HOME' after a deployment, but my hole, at least, is still there.  I try to stuff that hole with pride, joy, hope, and especially anticipation of the next contact.  Hang in there Momma - PIR is AWESOME!  These first few weeks will be really tough, but then it will speed up after you get your first call (I still remember holding my phone in my hand all the time, and when it finally rang and I squeaked out my hello because I was so excited, there was my sons deep voice on the other end and he said  "Hey Mom, what's up?"  Like he was just calling to tell me about his day.  Hang in there - the really good days are coming your way.

[JackieD]

I did the same thing.  I had my cell phone with me all the time. I told my co-workers that for those 8-9 weeks, my cell will be on loud.  When I got the first call, I saw the 847 area code and I froze, I was so excited, that I was actually speechless.  His first words were "Hi Mom, it's me."  Just like you said, it was like he was just calling like any other day to tell me something. 

[Raberta]

Well GANukeMomma:  It really doesn't stop.  It just lessens as the days go by.  When his PIR comes, you get your hug and hopefully will be able to spend time with him before he heads off to "A" School.  But you will be amazed and so proud of the changes you see in your then sailor.  Just cherish the letters, encourage him to keep his head up and pushing through to get to PIR.

He knows you miss him.  As well as he misses you and everything that home, the neighborhood and firends he left behind.  So don't get weighed down in that.   Keep your cell phone with you at all times.  I missed the "Mom I'm a Sailor" call-and yes, I cried. 

Now my Sailor is serving aboard the USS George Washington overseas.

 

[dawny64]

@  Raberta my Sailor called from A school and said he too will be on the USS George Washington. I am excited  and sad all at the same time. Excited because he got the duty station he wanted and sad because of the lack of contact. I feel like here we go again.

[meekinn]

I am by no means a veteran. My son left out July 28th. We have gotten the form letter and received our first "real letter" from him yesterday 7/12/12. He seems in good spirits so very glad of that. He is Ship 09 Div 266 with PIR on 8/24/12. We are from Kansas.

[Doreen(07/272)]

It doesn't stop, you just get better at handling it. My son has been in for a year, and sometimes I still cry walking into his bedroom.

[karens (alumni ship 13-Div 366)]

My son is not leaving until Sept 11 and I am already tearing up at the thought! I am so excited for him, proud, but scared to death at him leaving