my son leaves December 10th

[mamastephs]

My boy leaves for boot camp December 10th this is his last week with me... I don't know how I am going to handle this. It's hard right now and he's still here. I am extremely proud of him, but don't want him to go. I think about not talking to him for this long period of time, and then I think I will see him in February but then it hits me he will be gone for 6 years.... un realistic for me. honestly!!

How do you moms deal with everyday life while there gone?

[Cherie Ship 12 Div 082]

My son just left yesterday so the emotion of it is still very, very raw.  I'll be honest and tell you this:  be prepared to sob quietly at times when you are alone as certain thing swill make the reality of him leaving more vivid.  When we left him yesterday after the swearing in my husband and I both cried, openly.  As we raise our children to be the best they can be I don't think we raise ourselves as parents to let go and still be able to breathe.   They have been our main focus since the day they were born and now we have to trust and let go - while we know its what is natural it does not mean its easy.  Today is only the first day of him truly being gone and I am sad, but then I have those moments of sheer joy and pride that rip threw me and I find myself smiling.  it truly is like grieving, you have to get through it how it best works for you.  This site has been a life saver for me, as it reminds me that I am not alone.  Prayers to and for all of our children that they be kept safe, learn a lot and come home even better than they were when they went in.  From this Navy mom to you XOXOXOXOXO love.

[mamastephs]

Cherie, I have 2 sons, my oldest who is the one leaving Thursday and then my 10 year old, who looks up to my oldest.  I feel guilty because I'm focusing on Brandan because he's leaving, I feel nothing will be able to make me happy or smile again once he leaves. My husband is dealing with it totally different than me.  I felt so alone until I found this site. it truly is a blessing!!

My heart is going out to you, and I will pray your son makes it through Bootcamp with flying colors and we will get to see our Sailors soon.

Much love  

[Cherie Ship 12 Div 082]

Hi thank you for your note!  It has not even been a week yet and it feels like its been a month!  I also have a younger son who is 16 and he and his brother are best friends.  He has kept me smiling every day and I promise you so will your youngest!  The power of the parents love is astounding to me, even in the saddest of times the love we feel for our children always pulls us through.  XOXOXOXO

[mamastephs]

Cherie,

I just saw you live in Quincy MA, I am right in Wareham, the beginning of the Cape. It's nice knowing someone is so close.  Please keep me posted when you receive the box and your first letter.  We take my son to MEPS tomorrow and he leaves Thursday, my anxiety is kicking in a lot... I don't plan on working Friday because honestly don't know if I can get through the day without crying... I can't now.

I hope you hear from your son real soon!!  xoxo

[Cherie Ship 12 Div 082]

You must be my good luck charm!!  As I was responding to you the doorbell rang and the box has arrived!  It is great to know there is another mom so close!  I have another mom I have been talking to since MEPS - she is from RI and her son and mine are in the same stream of A-PACT so at bootcamp together and then FL together.

I can tell you I was a mess Wednesday night last week when we drove to drop him off I sat quietly in the back seat and sobbed into a towel so he would not hear me.  Cried all that night and the next day as soon as I saw him before the swearing in ceremony I cried.  I basically cried all day Thursday and to be honest more like sobbed.  But the good thing was that we had more time with him on Thursday than we had thought we would.  We had about 30 mins before the ceremony and then about an hour and 15 mins after.

I tell you this for two reasons:  one to let you know what to expect and two to let you know its so normal.  It is difficult not hearing from them or seeing them for so long - its not the natural order of things.  But stay busy every day and I promise you this:  you will still cry, but you will cry a little less each day.

Good luck this week.  If you need extra support feel free to email me:  [e-mail]      XOXOXOXOXO

[mamastephs]

Cherie, I am so happy you received your box!! It hit me hard tonight on my way home from work. I literally had to stop driving I was sobbing so bad and couldn't breath. I still can't believe this is his last night home for so long.  

tomorrow will be hard especially leaving him at the hotel for the night. I know it should get better, but I don't know how.  This morning I woke up and was crying so I decided to write him a letter and left it for him when I went to work. I told him I will be sad for a long time because I love him more than anything in this world. but I will be ok and not to worry about me I have support back here and now I will look forward to seeing him in February at graduation.  He liked the letter, i think it helped him knowing I will be ok... now if I can only convince myself I'll be good. I can't even talk about it at all right now without even crying.

Again this website helps so much knowing I am not alone with all these emotions I am going through.

[Cherie Ship 12 Div 082]

Awe my heart hurts for you.  This is why I love this site, its full of people that truly get it.  It will be really tough the next few days but I promise you the sadness will start to become more pride.  You will still have your moments of true sadness (I did today a time or 2) but they get better.   Here is loving our children more than words could ever describe.  Good luck tomorrow, I will be thinking of you.

[Kellis]

Mine left the 1st and I'm having the same thoughts and feelings as you and the others that have replied. I won't lie..this is not easy at all! Mine also enlisted for 6 years. But I know we will see each other during that time. No, it won't be daily and that is hard to accept. I gave my moments when I break down and cry. Then I'll be ok. Then I'll be crying again. I can't wait to hear his voice again. I pray he is doing well and is not discouraged in any way.
Try to stay busy. I work full time but in the evenings, it's harder. I'm an avid reader but just can't focus lately.

[Cherie Ship 12 Div 082]

I know!  I work full time days and have a junior in HS, 2 dogs and my husband but right now its just not enough to keep me occupied enough to not think of him every second.  I have a very good friend who's son graduated Navy Boot Camp about 2 months ago and she said its gets easier with each day, but never normal again.

[mamastephs]

I am so glad you have all responded, because I am feeling exactly what you all are saying, I hear a song on the radio and I start to cry because he was the first one to have me listen to it...It took me 6 years to get pregnant with him, and I wasn't ready to let him go... I am extremely proud of him, he knows what he wants and is very excited, a little nervous, just wants to get boot camp over with..

There are times I feel like a fool for crying so much because I know how good of a road he's going down... but I just can't stop.  

[Cherie Ship 12 Div 082]

I do to sometimes but then I remind myself this is a big change for me as a mom and for my family as a whole.  For me crying does not lesson how proud I am it just reinforces what a strong family bond we have built these past 18 years.  So cry on momma!   :)

And like so many on this site have said over time we will cry a little less.

Waiting for the box to arrive!!!!

[Cherie Ship 12 Div 082]

You must be my good luck charm!!  As I was responding to you the doorbell rang and the box has arrived!  It is great to know there is another mom so close!  I have another mom I have been talking to since MEPS - she is from RI and her son and mine are in the same stream of A-PACT so at bootcamp together and then FL together.

I can tell you I was a mess Wednesday night last week when we drove to drop him off I sat quietly in the back seat and sobbed into a towel so he would not hear me.  Cried all that night and the next day as soon as I saw him before the swearing in ceremony I cried.  I basically cried all day Thursday and to be honest more like sobbed.  But the good thing was that we had more time with him on Thursday than we had thought we would.  We had about 30 mins before the ceremony and then about an hour and 15 mins after.

I tell you this for two reasons:  one to let you know what to expect and two to let you know its so normal.  It is difficult not hearing from them or seeing them for so long - its not the natural order of things.  But stay busy every day and I promise you this:  you will still cry, but you will cry a little less each day.

Good luck this week.  If you need extra support feel free to email me:  [e-mail]      XOXOXOXOXO