Aloha Good Bye...

[hulawithjen]

My only baby boy will be leaving on June 18th. We had his "Anchors Aweigh" party on May 31st very fittingly on the Joint Forces Training Base at a BBQ patio called Fiddler's Green complete with a personalized banner from Shindigs, Navy hats & American flags from The Oriental Trading Co, and of course the traditional Navy Blue candle favors which I personalized with his name and ship-out date and attached a tag with the "sailor poem" to each one... Everything is happening so fast that I can't believe he had just graduated from high school last year. He will be turning 19 this coming July and of course I was forewarned not to make a big deal of his birthday (no care packages) or else they will incur some unwanted "attention" from the RDC! LoL!! 

This entire transformation process has been a difficult one because he is my only child. I am trying to savor every minute I have with him, helping & encouraging him to memorize what he will need to know. At the same time, I myself have been learning so much with him. He has thus far memorized his Sailor's Creed, Maxim, 11 General Orders, Military Time, Military Alphabet, Ranks & Recognitions, and is currently trying to memorize his Chain of Command... My boy & I have looked at numerous Navy videos on what to expect in basic training and he has practiced marching and even how to fold his shirts! LoL!!

All of you on here should be so proud of not only your kids or loved ones, but also of yourselves! We all have raised wonderful kids who have made a brave decision to serve and protect this beautiful country that we all call home. I stand beside you all as a PROUD NAVY MOM and I will cheer for ALL of our SAILORS. I pray that they will all be successful in their boot camp challenges and that they ultimately achieve what they truly desire as they enter into their chosen Navy careers. 

I have read so many of the messages that each of you have posted here & I have cried with you while reading as each of your Sailors ship-out one by one... Everyone has a different story to tell, but ultimately, we are all going through the same struggle of "letting go." As my turn is fast approaching, I am constantly reminding myself what each of you have said time & again: "I feel so sad, but yet so proud of my Sailor." This is my sentiment EXACTLY. The tears have been coming & going over the past few months, and now I'm down to the last 6 days. 

I'm so thankful for this site & for all of you here. The comfort of knowing what you all are going through is helping me tremendously. During infancy my boy had separation anxiety when I had to leave for work. Funny how the tables have turned. I never knew I'd feel the same separation anxiety as his departure nears. 

Life will definitely be different now. Quiet house. Empty (clean) room. 1 less table setting. BUT I must push past my sadness & be supportive as he lives his dream of becoming a Sailor.  I told him that if things ever get rough in boot camp & you start feeling homesick, just picture me at the "finish line" cheering you on! I am his biggest fan, and his happiness is always going to be my happiness... 

Sorry for the long message, and thank you for allowing me to vent my feelings... you and your Sailors are all in my thoughts & prayers... Looking forward to reading about all of your happy reunions & success stories!!! HUGS!!!

Mahalo Nui Loa

(Thank You Very Much)

[Publichealthgal]

Yes, we are all in this together. That will be me next week.