I wrote part of this blog when my son was deployed to Iraq last year. I wrote the beginning of it on my birthday this year. I go back to read it every so often, especially when I read your posts and see, feel the pain of the moms here. I know that pain. I also know the joy when I knew he was boots down in the USA. I wonder how do those moms with more than one child in the military do this? I have such admiration for them, such fear for their sanity...and I can say that because we all know, those that come to this group, that fear... Sometimes I think about moms since the start of time, how we have always sent our children off to wars...and I'm very thankful that I had this group to come to share my fears, say the insane things, cry while I type. Just acknowledge my fear. You are not alone.

Next year, you will be trying to comfort and support another mom, Yes. You will.

my blog:

Today, April 22, is my birthday. A year ago today my son was deployed as a corpsman with his Marine unit to Iraq. Left on my 60th birthday, snuck a phone call in at midnight and one more before his phone was shut off....he did not want to tell me the date of his deployment, he knew it wasn't the best choice.

Today he's safe and sound in the USA...still a corpsman with Marines...and when he called this morning he asked if I remember last year.

Do I remember?

My handsome sweet boy, in a land where there are those who would kill or kidnap him simply because he is US patriot...my son that always stood by the teacher as a kindergartner and first grader,, he was the youngest in his class...my son, who is now a strong, mature man...who has a new gentleness in his voice when I answer the phone, who never lets me off the phone now a days without "I love you, mom, don't forget"...my son who always told me I had perfect grandchildren, a boy and a girl and I didn't need anymore from him...who now says things like "I don't want to start a family in the military, it's too hard for them..." my son who walks into our front door and brings that youth and love and energy. Home Safe and sound...

My head told me it would happen....my heart convinced me that every person in that land wanted to kill my child...I know that he served with men just like him, Marines who would put themselve in the line of fire for the Doc...well trained and watching each other's back.

but mostly...I felt like this blog I wrote last year...

sometimes I don't even know I'm crying until the tears roll down my cheeks.

sometimes I can put my hair up and my head down and my hands in the dirt and time passes with no thought.

sometimes I can walk out the door, start my car and become the worker bee who just does the job with no thought.

sometimes I hear the phone, dry my eyes, clear my throat, and become the person the caller wants me to be with no thought.

sometimes I actually remember those conversations.

sometimes I take notes so i don't forget.

sometimes I hold this little dog, and watch her calm. watch her watch me, feel her head on my foot when she knows it's time. wonder if I make a sound...how does she know.

sometimes I feel guilty because I wish it was my Boom dog.

sometimes I'm okay.

sometimes I love living alone. It's perfect.

sometimes I think if there is not another human heart beating nearby soon I will go out of my mind.

sometimes I think I already have.

but mostly...it seems lately...I cry.

quietly. so my son doesn't know

so my daughter doesn't see.This seems to be a memory that will always be part of me.

For you moms with kids in the sand or the mountains, serving tonight there...you are not alone, we do not forget, we are all here with you.