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Comment by boomMom on May 14, 2012 at 6:22pm

Hi Karen! Yup! Born and bred in Hawaii! AND I don't like traveling, so I'm pretty much going to die here, too! <wink!> I did have a great time yesterday, but the beautiful scenery is soooo wasted on me because I have acquired vertigo!! So, riding out to the Windward side of Oahu on the H-3 freeway which is set right up against the beautiful, green Koolau range overlooking Kaneohe Bay, and I'm covering my eyes because the view makes me nauseous, my daughter is cracking up in the back seat, and for whatever sadistic reason, my husband is driving SLOWER!! Sheesh! It's always at MY expense that my family has a good time! ;-) The view lasts only a couple of minutes so it's not that bad and the nausea goes away pretty quickly. I didn't take this pic; I found it on the Internet, but it's a view of the H3 coming out on to the Kaneohe side of the Koolau's. I was looking for an image that was shot from a car coming down (because, of course, I wouldn't take one myself!), but I couldn't find one. This pic was actually taken by a hiker that used a stairs/ladder trail that goes straight up the mountain side!?! Crazy people! If you want to look at images of THAT, search "Haiku Stairs" and then Images on Google or Bing. Must be the altitude; it messes with ones reasoning skills! <snort!>

You better save tons of money, Karen, because the cost of living here is so high. Price of gasoline is about $4.50 (outer islands, $5.00+). But I'd be thrilled to call you "neighbor" and maybe our sons could get duty at Pearl Harbor!! (wishing, wishing, wishing.....)

Thanks for the kind words, Karen, but I'm okay, really!June 1st is sneaking up fast!! Go, Patrick, go! Hugs!

Comment by Jill on May 14, 2012 at 11:17am

Good morning everyone, and hope you all had a stupendous Mother's Day! I did get a very short call yesterday evening, and all is well, he is still running, experiencing some pain, of course, but he says it goes away the next day, unlike before.  He is going to attempt the medical PFA on Wednesday, so everyone keep your fingers crossed..

Debra & MK: Anxiously waiting for news on your SR's.  Debra, I know this isn't what you had planned, but getting to hug your son will make things clearer and much more bearable.  We're all kinda here because all our plans went awry... God is always in charge, hang in there to see what wonderful plans He has for you and your son.  MK: I hear there are a LOT of recruits suffering with the same thing recently.  I'm sure he's feeling better by now, my son says the worst of it seems to be over.

Phillies: My goodness you've had a long road.  Hoping you are within eyesight of the "Road Ends, must exit" sign.  Sounds like your are finally getting close.

TyelersMom: So happy to see some uplifting posts from you, and that things are becoming better for your SR.  Boy, do your posts bring back memories for me.  Everyone's stories are a little different, but so far, yours is pretty much cut and paste with mine, emotions, situations, and all.  It's still gonna be an emotional roller coaster ahead, but for us, not quite as bad as the initial call and adjustment.  Somebody needs to write a book and outline Day 1, Day 2 etc...

Sharon and Karen, thank you so much for staying here with us.  You ladies are wonderful and deserve medals for your dedication here.  Maybe ones made of Hersheys chocolate, and the approximate size of a football field.

Looking forward to news from Janet too, bet she's having the Mother's Day weekend of the century.

BoomMom: SO sorry to hear you missed that call.  I do know for a fact though, that your son is well, and in good spirits, cause mine told me so. 
And by the way, I also have trouble reading all my !!!'s, I think I'll switch to something else, but trying to figure out something that doesn't appear to be bleeped out cusswords.  This could get confusing.  In the meantime, feel free to change my name to whatever works for you.  lol

Comment by Patrick's Mom on May 14, 2012 at 8:58am

Tyelersmom - So very happy to hear that you got a Mother's Day phone call which I know you needed so much!  Also very thankful to know your son is adjusting and doing much better than that intial letter.  Praise the Lord!  That is usually the case - they need time to adjust to the setback and disappointment before they can pick themselves back up and get on with it.  Hang in there - he's going to grow in amazing ways!

boomMom, I can't tell you how badly I feel you missed your phone calls Sweetie.  Praying he's able to maybe call again today!  Hope you had a good time touring yesterday despite it.  I LOVE Hawaii!  The beauty there is absolutely amazing!!!  Are you actually from Hawaii, or did you move there?  If it's the latter, I can't think of many places I'd rather move to!!!

Comment by Mom2TJ on May 14, 2012 at 12:12am

Oh im soo sorry boomMom... My heart just aches for you.... Im glad your son sounded good though... My son said they may be able to call again next sunday so hopefully your boy will get ahold of you then... :)  Heres to hoping...  

Comment by boomMom on May 13, 2012 at 11:46pm

Alright, Tyelersmom!! What great news!! It's always a big relief when we hear our SR's voice, isn't it? Mom's tend to listen for what's NOT being said, right? And I can tell that you're satisfied with what YOU heard! I'm soooo happy for you, too! What a great Mom's day for you!

I, on the other hand was on the other side of the island making our grave-side visits, so I missed his call, TWICE!! We figured that 5:30 in the early evening (12:30 here) was too late for them to be calling so we left, but he called about an hour later! Sigh! I didn't want to get too upset in front of my husband because he took today off so that we could do this little road trip, and he was already apologizing when we got home and heard the voicemail. My son sounded determined and in good spirits, though, just disappointed that no one was home. It's times like this that I wish I had a cell phone. Oh, well.....<sniff!> I've waited longer........

Comment by SharonW on May 13, 2012 at 9:57pm

Tyelersmom, Hooray! I am soooooo happy you got to talk to your son today plus glad to hear he volunteered for a job and has met some great guys.

Comment by Mom2TJ on May 13, 2012 at 8:54pm

Woo Hoo!!  I got a call from my boy... He is doing way better.. he said he was so afraid that he was letting his Div down and me... I told he could never let me down... I was always proud of him and he needs to be proud of himself.. he said he is actually enjoying RCU... he said he has volunteered for a job so he stays pretty busy and has met some really cool people there that are really helping him alot...  I am soooo happy...Best Moms day ever!!!!    Happy Mothers Day to all here too... :)

Comment by boomMom on May 13, 2012 at 10:09am

Tyelersmom - you're welcome, but no thanks are needed because that is what we're all here for; to help each other. Each woman here has her own strengths and passions to offer to the rest of us and that is why this group works! And I am thankful for everyone of them, even you! You just made me realize that I was always looking at the immediate goals or the immediate rewards, not the long term. That was a great letter that you wrote, and it was very profound! But I gotta say it might be just words to him right now because he hasn't had enough experiences yet. But he will, and he'll eventually remember your words and probably call you to say, "You were right, Mom!" (I LOVE those words!) ;-)

Hey Sharon! You're pretty awesome yourself! Now, get off the computer and go run with your son! LOL! Like I would even bother! Pbfftt! lol But it's only 4 in the morning here so I have an excuse! Do you have plans for today? A spa? Facial? We're driving around the island (Oahu) today, play tourists a little bit, and visit my and my husband's mothers' graves. I hope it doesn't bore my daughter, but too bad for her! <tee hee!>

Enjoy today, Ladies, and hope we all get calls today!

Comment by SharonW on May 13, 2012 at 9:25am

Great post boomMom!  Your point that Tyeler's letter was written shortly after he arrived in RCU is a good one.  It's hard to read a sad letter from your son and know you can't 'fix' the situation, that you can't be there to support and encourage him in person.    

Tyelersmom, you are right, it will be better to take things one day at a time.  None of us know what is going to happen so why worry and drive yourself crazy.  Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair since they both give you something to do but you don't get anywhere.

Tyeler is probably going through his own grieving process as well.  It is my understanding that they meet with the Chaplain on Wednesdays for some sort of Bible study - maybe he could speak with the Chaplain privately afterwards just to air his feelings and frustrations.  There are guys in the RCU who have been there awhile, such as boomMom's and Jill's sons, who can help him out - even just to listen to him rant and rave.  

In some of my letters, I would include a quote or phrase or inspirational thought that might help him or encourage him or suggest a different way of looking at the situation.  One of my favorite quotes is from Tony Dungy (a former pro-football coach): "What do you want to do from here?  When you are in a situation you can complain about it, you can feel sorry for yourself, you can do a lot of things. (But) how are you going to make the situation better?"

Now that he has been in RCU for over a week, he could help the next SRs who arrive in RCU, show them around, where things are, what the routine is like, introduce them to the other guys, talk with and listen to them, stuff like that will help him keep busy and not think about his own situation so much.  Also, he could see if there is a job in RCU he could do.  My son said he learned quickly it was important for him to keep busy otherwise he would have sat and fretted about himself for hours.

He will have physical therapy to attend as well and that is an important part of his healing as well.  Prayers that the next letter is a happier one.

Happy Mother's Day to all, Sharon

Comment by Mom2TJ on May 12, 2012 at 7:26pm

Thank you boomMom... I sat down and wrote a long letter and told my son that he absolutly must not give up... I told him that he is a man now and even though this might feel like a horrible set back, it will not be his last set back or even the worst thing he will ever have to endure in his lifetime.   I told him this is just a test to see how he (as a man) will deal with it... I told him he could not give up and run home everytime he experiences a set back...  I told him I would be there for him and God would give him strength and to take one day at a time and he would come out of this even stronger and prouder for having gone through it.. I just hope they are not just words to him at this point...   but I really thank you for the encouragment..  I needed it :)

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