I made it through yesterday....well for the most part :)

[DisneyDebi (02/903)]

First, I want to take a moment to send a special, heartfelt THANK YOU to the following moms:  Judy R; Ladyhawk; Denise; BunkerQB; Navymom93; Aaron's Mom; Sanddollar100; Brenster; codysmom_ship02; SRMCmom...

You wonderful women gave me a gift I didn't even know I needed...camaraderie...and for that I'm so very grateful!  Your words of support, wisdom, encouragement and laughter have been a life line for me <3

Day 1 (yesterday) was the day where we said goodbye.  WOW - that was a lot more difficult that I had imagined it would be.  We started the day off by going to breakfast very early - it was a family event; Myself, my husband (my son's stepfather), my oldest son, my daughter, my stepdaughter and my Navy boy, Alex :)

As we were walking in I was just overcome with the realization that this would be the last family type meal for a bit of a while.  I thought I was fine, but realized I needed to make it to the bathroom as fast as possible where I proceeded to have a breakdown.  It was welcomed though, because I just needed to get it all out.  I freshened up and made my way to the table.  We had a wonderful fun breakfast but soon enough it was time for my son to say goodbye to his sisters as they would not be going to the recruiters office with us.  Once on the road, we chatted about stuff...did he have a jacket, did he have enough money, was he sure this was still what he wanted to do, did he cancel his NetFlix...LOL

As we arrived at the recruiters office, the tears were starting to creep up again...my oldest son said to me, "Mom, this is so hard...I didn't think it would hit me like this".  For the first time since Alex told me he was leaving, I realized it wasn't just me that would be hurting.  I'm not normally so self absorbed but for some reason, in this situation, all I've been able to do is think about how this is hurting ME.  I hugged my son and told him we would be just fine :)

Alex was greeted by the recruiters and as I listened to them chit chat about what the day would bring, I could feel myself shutting down a bit...I did NOT want to say my goodbyes to him there, in an office with two men I didn't even really know.  I was on the verge of the flood when I heard someone talking to me...the recruiter...asking my husband and myself if we would be headed down to the hotel at the airport to say our goodbyes to Alex and spend the late afternoon/early evening with him...WHAT...I didn't have to say good bye right now???  I could see him again later today???  WOOOOO HOOOOOO!  What a relief!  So we hugged and told him we would see him later....and we left.. and I cried LOL

Fast forward to a lobby hotel, watching your boy...your son who suddenly looks like a grown man...something in his countenance has changed, ever so slightly....hmmmm... he has taken this step to begin HIS life.  I made the immediate decision that this night was NOT going to be about me...but about him and only him.  I couldn't promise that there would be no tears...but they wouldn't be about my sadness, but about the beginning of his journey and my great joy and pride in who he is and what he was doing.  Dinner was good, but so short...how slow can one really eat :)  It came time to say goodnight and good bye and I did it...I cried a very little, told him I loved him and was proud and then the flood gates opened and I hugged him tight...and then I hugged him again and watched him go into his room and disappear.   Surprisingly, I didn't really cry too much on the ride home...a few times as I thought of something funny he said or did...but for the most part I knew that these sob-fest moments would come without warning and at will. 

Day 2 - started out ok...waiting for the call or text this morning to let us know what time his plane departs and flight info, etc.  It was a little tough this morning, going into his room, which is all packed up with his things...things to store while he away, things to send when he gets to A school.  Its so empty - even our dog is looking for him.  Moved his truck off the street and parked it in the corner of the driveway..covered it up and that was tough.  As the morning goes on, and everyone asks how I am...I have to put on a strong face...but I think they know :)  Now I just wait...

 

 

[NavyMom93 (DIV: 823)]

I can see by the tears in my eyes and the ones on my cheek that I didn't need to tell you about blogging, LOL.

One of the recruiters in the recruiter's office looked at me (guess I looked like I was gonna loose it) and said "There is no crying in this office! If you feel the need to cry, go outside...or I will have to cry with you." I am glad he said that too because it gave me the strength I needed to get through dinner and out of the hotel parking lot.

Though the waiting seems long, and we are filled with anxiety of the unknown, the pride will well up and you will find yourself smiling. Warm hugs to you.

[BunkerQB]

We will be looking forward to getting progress reports on Sailor Recruit Alex and of course, hearing all about PIR. It going to be a wonderful journey for your son and your family. Enjoy the ride. We have.