MY SAILOR!

[NavyMom93 (DIV: 823)]

Well a week ago my son PIR'd and I am still on cloud nine about that! It was something so beautiful to see and believe it or not the tears only flowed twice. Once when his division passed where we were sitting and when the National Anthem was played/sang (I always tear up on that one).

We had no trouble getting to the handicapped parking and was offered a wheel chair as soon as I stepped out of the car! Now that is service, LOL. Of course I declined it, I had my cane with my hummingbird that my sailor got me, dangling from the handle and there could have been someone who needed it more than me. Getting through security was a breeze and true to his word, we were all on the list! Yes I worried about that one....silly me, LOL. 

In the stands waiting my husband got his camera out to check the settings. The battery had been on the charger all night, no problem right? Wrong! His camera battery chose that time to not hold a charge. He was furious and almost in tears and I looked at him and said "Don't worry about it, we'll get the DVD. You can actually watch something important with both eyes instead of looking through a camera the whole time!" That's me, silver lining in everything :) 

The time had finally come for the PIR to begin and all I wanted was for the big door to open and see them all march in. It took a little bit for that. There were other things that had to go first. I won't say what they are because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. Needless to say I was about to burst! When the door finally opened, you could have knocked me over with a feather! I think it took me a while to catch my breath when they started marching in. Amazing doesn't even describe it! It took a while before I got to hear what I had waited to hear... "Anchors Away." Seeing the look of pride on every sailor's face when they sang was awe-inspiring! 

It wasn't long after that, atleast in my mind anyway, that liberty was called and I've never seen stands clear so quickly! When I got to my son, after letting my daughter go before me, the look on his face was priceless when he saw me. I don't think I've ever hugged him so tightly. Then he dropped a bomb on us. He volunteered for watch duty so that the other sailors would have time with their families. Pride won over the hurt and I accepted the 3 1/2 hours we did get to see him instead of the 7 we could have had. It wasn't like I was going to pout and storm off back to the hotel. My husband, daughter and I spent the 4 hour watch time in the NEX. It is possible to sleep in one of the booths in the food area. I took several little catnaps. 

After watch, we took him back to the hotel and ate at the restaurant there. It was a wonderful dinner, full of laughs and I wouldn't trade that time for anything. We were allowed to park in the chapel area of the base when we took him back and spend time with him in Recruit Heaven, where he and his sister played video games until we had to say good-bye. It was wonderful watching him take the time to do something that she liked to do. She will always remember it too. She bought a bell in the NEX and rings it when she misses him the most. 

So the biggest question I've had to answer since we got back....has he changed? Yes and no. He walks taller and faster. He looks brighter and happier. He didn't loose his want to play games with his sister. OH and he doesn't talk with his hands anymore! Am I proud? Beyond what I could say. I know now that he's made the right choice for his life and that gives me peace.

Warm Hugs to all.

[NJNavy (IC,CS)]

 

 

Job well done Navy Mom....