Gather Your Things and Come on Over

[Brenda Sue]

When starting this blog I also considered calling it Pay It Forward, because that is the message that I want to pass on. In the movie Pay It Forward (I have not seen it - but I’ve heard it is awesome!), a young boy does something good for three people and then encourages them to do something good for three more people - thereby, making a difference in this world. I feel that is the purpose of the website, Navy for Moms.

Let me explain with an example. On August 1, I had the privilege of being in New York City with a few of my N4M’s “special” friends. Oh yes, we were cyber friends long before we met in person in New York!!! We were gathered in New York to help promote the website. We had a blast and got about one minute on the Today show!! We toured New York all day Thursday in our matching navyformoms.com t-shirts and received many comments, met retired Navy Sailors, and even some current Navy moms and Sailors!! I think that was as much “advertisement” as our TV debut.

A few of us from other states - and one New Yorker - decided to stay a few extra days and see some sights. If you have never been - let me just say - - I never had the desire to visit New York before, but now I can’t wait to go back!!! We had SueS as a personal tour guide - so it was extra special!!! Thanks, Sue - don’t know what we would have done without you!! Riding the subway was a blast!! Seeing all the architecture was awesome!! The people were EVERYWHERE and from EVERYWHERE!!! Times Square at night can be overwhelming. We saw the Naked Cowboy briefly and the Naked Cowgirl for wwwaaaayyyy to long (one second would have been enough for me). Central Park was beautiful!! Next time I am renting a bike and spending a whole day there. We did go by Ground Zero - just a construction zone now, but the little church by it was - well, emotional - I guess would be the best word. China town - I bought a Rolex!!! Little Italy - pizza and Carmine’s, delicious!!! Best cheesecake - especially when eating it with friends and celebrating your own son’s birthday!!! Oh, I could go on and on but I don’t want to bore you before getting to the purpose of this blog.

Well, while sitting on the top of the tour bus in downtown (or uptown - I don’t remember which) Manhattan, I received an expected phone call. My Sailor son was telling me goodbye - he was leaving his truck and headed to the airport to go to Kuwait, his first deployment. I did not know if or when I would be able to hear from him or even how long he would be gone. I try not to let him hear me cry too much - so we had a short conversation and said “I love you and goodbye”. (Good grief, I have to quit proof-reading this - it makes me cry everytime). I looked over and there was an empty seat next to Molly across the isle from me. Amazing since these tour buses are generally pretty full with people waiting in long lines. That is Molly from Oregon and me from Texas, meeting in New York City!! I just gathered my things and went and went to sit by her!! She immediately knew what had just occurred, so she put her arms around me and kept talking to me - telling me encouraging things as we cried together!! I cannot think of anyone else on the entire face of this earth that could have done that with such meaning as Molly did!!! She truly knows how I was feeling and I knew that she knew!! Behind us were Diane and Sue - I could hear them quietly crying with me and touching me - just letting me know they were there also!!! Thanks, girls!!! My other two special friends (and counselors) had already left New York - but I know that they were there in spirit - Kimberly and LynnDear!!

I then “put on my big girl panties” and moved back to my seat. Our one minute of fame on our Today show debut dimmed in our eyes - THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF OUR BEING TOGETHER IN NEW YORK - was so I could have the emotional support of other Navy moms when I received the news!! Call it what you want - but I thank a Great Big God - for caring so much about me to put me in that situation to have that kind of support.

When this site first started almost every mom had kids still in boot camp. The discussions begin with questions about “the box”, phone calls, letters home, and where to stay for PIR. We were all traumatized by the cutting of the apron strings with our baby boys - and the US Navy better be nice to them!! As the site grew and more information began coming we went to discussions about Battle stations, capping ceremony, Full Moon or Flannigans. We have since moved on to “what is your Sailors job?” and “where does he/she go for “A” school?”

Now some of us are headed to the next step - their first deployment!!! We may not be able to physically be together when things like that occur - but I want to strongly encourage each one of you to find a few “special” friends - pull them close to your side - really get to know them - exchange birthdays, addresses, and phone numbers. Know what their sailors are doing - ask about their kids still at home. Try to connect with them regularly!! Find out about their personal lives!! Celebrate Battle Stations together!! Meet at PIR!! Develop those connections!! You never know when you will have to gather your things and come on over!!

And . . . if you need a place to go - I’ll be here!!! Ready to Pay it Forward!!
Thanks Navy for Moms!!!!

[Navy for Moms Admin]

:) ((((((((love)))))))))
and PS: Naked Cowgirl. LOL :D

[diane {Shawns mom}]

OH my beautiful "red headed texan"
-you know I call you that because of your "red" hair and the beauty of your soul!!!!!

I was so happy to be with you -when shawn left Wed. evening....I didn't really announce or as you say didn't have to say a word. Cause when I got that call from him..I was standing in a room full of N4Ms and took a good look around and knew I was in the best place in the world. and everything would be alright.....
love ya too. love ya all
xoxoxo
diane