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Comment by Curleytop on August 16, 2013 at 12:46am

Yes, I have heard those comments.  "It is slowing down.  I know how I felt when my ...... moved out.  Don't worry everyone is coming home from Afghanistan.  Your son joined the military at the right time."

So far I just smile and say "I suppose." Then try to leave as quickly as I can.

My son's Marine unit deals with heavy weapons.  Yet, I know he does not want to be any place else.  His comments are along the lines "I have to go take care of 'my' marines."  He is very protective of them.

I did get a text today.  First one in a month.  He is back in from the field.

Again, thank you for sharing and being here for me.  I think I will be able to rest tonight.  The past two weeks rest has not come easy.

Tamme, it was a privilege to vote for your son. 

Comment by TexasDocMom on August 15, 2013 at 10:33am

If I hear one more idiot say that "slowing down" comment, I'll need the cyber bail bondsman. I mean..REALLY?  Now that my son is out, I also get "well, he's out so everything is okay..." REALLY? not while we have military over there. And with this crazy stuff in Egypt, now...one more worry. 

My son is president of his student vet organization at UTSA. He's becoming more and more involved in vet issues and is considering a run for public office after he does his grad work here in Austin at UT. Being in the military, and especially becoming a combat vet, has changed his life direction. He's the one person I can talk to about this group, and what we share here, and I don't get the shake of the head and hear "but you don't have a kid in the military any longer" remark. Because he thinks everyday of his peers in combat. I read the posts from his Marine and corpsman buddies, and they all are involved and concerned, in or out of the military. We have a great generation of kids. I'm so proud of them all.

Comment by Tamme on August 15, 2013 at 10:16am

Curelytop, we are all here for you.  I am a Corpsman mom as well and my son is in Afghanistan right now.  My other son is an EM on the Stennis but I was just as worried when he was in the Middle East from last August through this April.  TDM hit it on the nail.  Several moms in my office are sad right now because their children are leaving for college this weekend (2 hours away).  I just reassure them that empty nest syndrome is real and that they will still have plenty of contact.  The others that bother me (and I have to run to my fellow Navy Moms for sanity) is the comments "it's slowing down over there and our servicemen are okay."  What???????  Not where my boy is for sure.  Hang in there and always fall back on our total understanding and support.  My heart still sinks when a new mom comes on board for the first time telling us their child is going to boot.  Even after going through it twice, those memories still stick.  LOL

 

Thanks also to everyone who has been voting and spreading the word for our son's wedding photo contest.  They are at 3,600 with the second place at 509.  They have until August 23 but I think they should be okay.  My son is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love he is getting from everyone.  God Bless. 

Comment by TexasDocMom on August 15, 2013 at 10:03am

Curleytop...with your son leaving for Afghan in September....you will get the well meaning comments from friends who say "I know just how you feel, my son/daughter just left for college." Please. Don't hurt them. Just walk away and come here....that made me furious at first...then I realized they just don't know. And really, we don't want people we care about to have this same fear for their children in their lives that we have or have had...really. We just want them to shut up with stupid comments. We joke about cyber bail bond here....

Comment by Curleytop on August 14, 2013 at 11:12pm

Oh thank you one and all. I was having a very weak moment when I posted last night. I was afraid all day at work that I might have offended someone. That was not my intent.  I was just sharing my heart.

All of you are so kind. Kathy, now I can be focused with things to discuss with my son when he is home.  I would not know anything, if it was not for this group.

Thanks TDM for continuing to support all of us.  I want that same look you got from your son so I will work hard for it.

MT, I will never know how you handled your daughters serving.  What a sacrifice.

JS, I am afraid I have the "emotional" genes in my family also.

I imagine you will be hearing from me a lot more in the next few months.  Not sure how I am going to handle all of this, but I know it is where my son is called to be at this time in his life.  He has been happy this past year becoming a corpsman.

Comment by Much Trouble on August 14, 2013 at 8:49pm

IDCmom...Don't worry before you have to do it!  lol  (I'm very good at projecting worst case scenarios in my head!)  My son was in the Seabees and was land-based, and when he was sent, it was part of that huge offensive we made a few years ago.  Afghanistan seems to be gearing down quite a bit, but unfortunately, as things seem to get better one place, more trouble is brewing in another.  At this time, I can't help much as far as knowing how things are being done, but I will keep coming here as long as there might be a scared, hurting mom, who needs an understanding hug. 

Comment by IDCmom#1 on August 14, 2013 at 7:31pm

Much Trouble, after reading your post, I had to go get Kleenex. 

I have been very lucky that my son's two deployments were not to Afghanistan.  I worry about where he will be stationed next as his next assignment is "sea duty" but need to learn to put that worry aside until I actually have something to worry about.  He is still a year plus from PCS, thank goodness.   

Comment by Much Trouble on August 14, 2013 at 3:53pm

Curleytop, I have always been around the military and I had already sent off two of my daughters to the Air Force...so while it was lonely, I was able to keep my "Mom" feelings to myself.  It was something like sending the kid to kindergarten for the first time...a bit sad, but also looking forward to seeing the "man" emerge.  I was great until my son got his orders for Afghanistan...and I went into a total panic.  Thank God for this group!  They laughed with me and cried with me...but most of all they KNEW how I felt.  When something horrible happened over there, the other Moms were right there reminding me that if I haven't heard a thing from (or about) him, it was GOOD news...he was okay.  When I watched a parade or saw a flag or something else that set me off, they never seemed to get tired of hearing about those "Walmart moments".  By being able to vent in this group, I was able to (most of the time) appear strong to the rest of the world.  Stick with us until you hear he is back here, boots down.  You will be amazed at how strong you really are!!!

Comment by JerseySusan on August 14, 2013 at 3:14pm

Curleytop, I was born with sensitive emotional "genes" that runs in my family!!! I married the "Love of my Life" that had the strong & secure "genes" on his side of the family, the total opposite. It is with that balance that tought me to be "tough" when I really need to be. I pray hard to help me be strong during these times. I know everyone says to "always be yourself", but when pre-deployment comes around, I have to work exceptionally hard to be strong when I'm around our son. It's not until after, that I can finally be myself & be a "blubbering idiot". But I know, that is what is "Best" for him & I can be proud that "HE" left knowing in his heart that  "I will be OK".  

Comment by TexasDocMom on August 14, 2013 at 10:07am

Curleytop....you have found your rock. Right here. These women will help keep you somewhat sane (no guarantees, believe me!) and help you and your husband remember that you are not alone...We know your fear. We know your pride. We know the pain, and the sleepless nights. Kathy gave you great advice, do everything she says. You will cry. It's terribly hard to not do it in front of your son, but I have to share with you a moment at the airport when we put him on the plane back to NC to leave for Iraq. His dad lost it, I sent him to the car...and I hugged my son, and looked up at him and saw those eyes twinkling at me, he was so proud I was keeping it together. Of course he had no idea we drove around the corner and lost it. So...from then on, I held together on our goodbyes, just knowing I'd get that adult look of "approval" and love. He knew. They know how hard it is, they love us so much and they have to stay focused. So, take care of you. Walk, exercise, eat good foods, stay healthy...so when that phone rings, he hears his normal mom voice....and save the I miss yous and I love yous until the end. Make a list of things as they happen, keep them by the phone, tell him everything...the dog next door had puppies, the woman across the street is still a grouch...everything about home. And listen. and remember that neither one of you are alone. He has a strong team of trained brothers to watch his back, and a CO whose focus is to keep them all safe and bring them all home. You have...us! Keep coming back, post when you feel like it and read all you want. Your husband is welcome to join us. He is not alone, either.

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