Comment

Comment by Karla~ (S 12 D 042 - PIR 1/14) on January 12, 2011 at 1:42pm

@ASH - I have to tell you a story. This will probably be long. Sorry! Your situation is different but it might help a little!?

We have six children. My fourth child, Ben, went through boot camp with the Air National Guard in 2002. He was struggling in school and not sure how he would continue to pay for it. So he called to tell us he was enlisting and would be going to boot camp in a couple of months. It was very matter-of-fact - no big deal. It was 7 weeks long. I probably sent him 3 letters total.

Ben and I were very close, but we were still raising 2 kids. I didn't realize at the time what a huge, important thing he was doing. He even called and asked if we would come to his graduation. There was just no way - financially. But, again, I didn't realize the enormous sense of accomplishment and how much it would have meant to him.

And I was not an uninvolved mom. We homeschooled our kids and are a very close family. I have always been in the middle of whatever our kids are doing. Sometimes even too much so - just ask them! We were just in such a different place back then and had a totally different perspective on boot camp and it's importance. Ben was just doing his thing!

Soooooo - our current sailor (5th child) decides to join the navy to become a cryptologist. I am proud, worried, supportive - all those emotions. But we tell him even before he leaves that we won't be able to come to his graduation.

And then I find Navy4Moms.

It was this group that made me realize what an amazing thing these men and women are accomplishing. It changed my perspective. My husband and I decided to go to graduation and also to fly our daughter there to join us. We have written to our sailor almost every day!

About a month ago, I called my older son and talked to him about his experience at boot camp. He now works for a legislator in WA DC. He said it was no big deal - he was just doing his thing and there were tons of guys who NEVER got mail. He said he didn't feel abandoned by us. I, of course, was sobbing. I cried for the missed opportunity. And I told him how sorry I was. I told him (for the first time I think) how proud I am that he had the courage to go through that so independent of us. He said "It's okay, I'm the middle child, I'm used to it." We laughed together. I said I wished there was some way we could make it up to him. He suggested I just send a check. Haha.

I share this just to say that we are all in different places. The fact that we were more disconnected when Ben was at boot camp was not an indication of our love for him. All our children know we would move mountains for them!

Frankly, if I hadn't found Navy4Moms, I'm not sure things would have been much different for our younger son. This website changed the way I viewed boot camp and it's importance. I think people who don't have a group like this just don't realize what they are missing. Going through this and feeling such remorse has taught me to try very hard not to judge others who feel differently than I do about what is important. We are all at very different places in our lives. AND, I'm sure with 6 of them, I will have many more opportunities to "miss the boat" with one of my kids. Sigh . . .

THIS has been a great journey with our son that I wouldn't have missed for anything! Thank you, N4M!

Comment by E.J.'s Mom on January 12, 2011 at 1:22pm

Hi All, A fellow navy mom gave me this link and I wish I had discovered it sooner, but I'm here. My son is ship 12 div 041 and I can't wait to see him.

Comment by ProudGMBarb on January 12, 2011 at 12:46pm

dramaboysmom: You sure know how to start and have a fun filled day, don't you? WOW. Good to see you can keep your sense of humor!

Comment by ProudGMBarb on January 12, 2011 at 12:43pm

Ash, I too, send you lots of hugs, and commend you for your support for your hubby. If you would send me your email address, I can tell you a story you might appreciate. I know you are busy now, as we all are (going crazy here too!) so whenever you have time. My email address is auntiebsits@aol.com

Sending you a big electronic hug...

Comment by diannep on January 12, 2011 at 12:35pm

LAST MINUTE SUGGESTION:  Take your PIR pictures quickly after Liberty is called.  They will clear the PIR Hall relatively quickly.  SO don't wait!

Comment by diannep on January 12, 2011 at 12:25pm

thingamabob:  Hoping that he will get dr's clearance to go, that you all have safe travel, and that the reunion is joyous!

Comment by thingamabob on January 12, 2011 at 12:09pm

was able to visit with the hubby for a couple hours yesteday. He is keeping the faith that he will get to make it to PIR. I guess now it is just a waiting game on getting his meds at the correct levels. Even if he does get out in time I'm afraid a trip like this might be more than he should be doing. At the same time though it won't be the same if he doesn't get to go. We decided not to tell our SR that he was in the hospital because theres no sense her worring when theres nothing she can do. If he isn't there on Friday she will be very sad,she's a Daddy's girl all the way.

Comment by navyfam on January 12, 2011 at 12:09pm

Dramaboysmom-Thanks for the story! You are really living up to the Drama part of your screen name! You are one smart cookie thinking of all the ways to "get 'er" done! Have a great day!

Can't wait  to hear about your "I'm a Sailor" call!

Comment by diannep on January 12, 2011 at 11:59am

Dramaboysmom:  HAAA!  Ok, I was getting a visual of this whole thing...and thinking how innovative you are!  Wow!  I was impressed!  You know the ole saying:  Can't keep a good man down....well, in this case, "can't keep a good WOMAN down."  You GO, girl!  I have a feeling that those computer viruses will be very sorry they chose YOUR work computers to infect because you are going to RIP them out of there!  Hummmmpfff!  Hope your day settles down a bit after that!  :-)

Comment by navyfam on January 12, 2011 at 11:56am

Ash-I'm leaving a comment on your page as well...I was getting too long winded on here! As Dianne said keep you chin up and enjoy your time together!

Bravo Zulu too you too!

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