The Box

[Nikki "Tony"s mom"]

I received "The Box" today, my heart is breaking more and more each day. When most parents have their son or daughter leave home they can still talk to them! I just feel so lost not being able to even pick up the phone and talk to him or get a simple txt from him! It's sooo hard everyday coming home and pulling in the driveway and seeing his truck parked in the driveway and knowing that he's not home!!!!!!! I know he's doing the right thing for his future but that doesnt make this emptiness feel any better. I'm a single mother of four amazing boys and he is my oldest, Tony has always been more of a home body and this is the first time in his 19yrs that he's been away from his family! His brothers miss him terribly also, so I put on the happy face in front of them and then cry myself to sleep when no one is around! The recruiter told me that he would have an address to write to but I still dont have one. Does anybody know if the address on the box is an address that we are allowed to send mail to?

[AJVNavyMom]

I feel your pain.  Our son left two weeks ago and we miss him terribly!  I too am the strength of my family, and my tears are at night as well.  Hang in there.  Try to keep busy.  You should get his form letter in a few days with his address.  It usually follows the box within days.  The one on the box is not the right one.  Start writing to him now so when you get his address,  you can send one out right away and number them so he can read them in some kind of order.  All the best to you and your son!

[C'Town Mom]

I feel your pain as well.  My son is 19 and was always a home body too and this is the first time he's every been away too.  He left on 11/29/10 and his PIR is 02/04/11.  I can't wait!  It is hard, I know. I still cry.  I was crying at work yesterday listening to my playlist and one of his favorites songs came on..... :(  If it helps a little it doesn't feel like it's been as  long as it has.  I was like you I had to stay strong in front of my other 2 kids but it was hard. When our sons box came my 14 year old got home before us and had opened it and laid all of the clothes out neatly and sat his boots by the dining room table.  He won't admit that he misses his brother but I know that he does.  We have only gotten 2 calls besides the one that night he got there and we have gotten maybe 5 letters.  I would call his recruiter again because my sons recruiter gave us his address about a week after he left. 

[YMM (Ship 12 Div 98)]

Nikki, Call his recruiter tomorrow and ask him to get his address for you. We had my son's address the afternoon after he arrived at Great Lakes last week because his recruiter was able to access it online. Soon you will receive the form letter soon with a few lines written by your son. Hang in there!

[Kathie]

HI, my son been in since Dec13 and I just got a call from him last week on his 4 week.  Hang in there and remember write to him everyday.  They have no contact with the outside world and love the letters.  Also don't worry about not getting your letter it takes about 3 weeks before you get your first and they can only write once a week on Sunday.  But they will get your letters within about 2 weeks.  And please join Navy mom they are great.  They have good information that you can use and meet other moms and wives who son/daughter serves.

[Nikki "Tony"s mom"]

I spoke with my sons recuiter yesterday va text and he told me the address on the box was an address I could write to!! I'm so frustrated right now because every thing that my son's recruiter has said to me has been wrong, I feel like he said all the right things at the time just to appease my son and I! I'm confused, frustrated, and actually quite pissed off to tell you the truth! And all I know is my son is somewhere in Chicago and I dont know what to do!! I was told I'd here from him every week and he was told that also!! I dont wont my son to think that I'm not writing him because my son was also told that I would have an address 2 days after he left by his recuiter!! I've always been a strong willed person, I'm a charge nurse in an ER, I save lives on a daily basis and have managed to take care of an entire family on my own, but I have to say this has brought me to a different level, I have never felt more frustrated or hopeles in my life!! And I dont wont my son thinking that I'm not here for him!

[Janie (Ship11~Div.59 Alumni)]

I FEEL YOUR PAIN ! I too like every other mother here felt the same feelings your experiencing. "The Box" was one of the worst things to experience so far. To me it was so bizarre and eerie to open it and see your childs items they left home wearing but no child. Not a good feeling I know. I cried for days on that one. It does get easier as time goes by. I tried to write my daughter as much as I could, I sent her a phone card in one letter and cash in another. It also helps to send a small picture of the family members. Just remember that the recruit does not have a lot of space to store a lot of items/mail. What I did to help preserve my sanity was to write a letter/journal every night before bed to her. I would write my feelings and thoughts for that day, daily events that took place, etc...I plan to type it up and give it to her like a book/diary of her time in boot camp away from me, my way of letting her know how I as a mother felt without my baby girl.

You will get a phone call three weeks after his arrival at Lakes, phone calls are few and far between so be prepared. Each letter, each phone call will be a blessing, you will shed tears and in the beginning they are tears of loss because you miss them and want to be with them to make sure they are ok but as time goes on those tears will turn into tears of pride and joy for all that your Sailor Recruit is accomplishing while at boot camp. Good luck and it will be a benefit to stay in touch with Moms on here that are at the same point as your recruit and those that have already been through it that can give you a glimpse into the future of what to expect. If I can help you in any way let me know.

[2 navy boys]

It's been one year ago next month since my son left for boot camp.  He was 19 at the time about to turn 20.  Since then he's graduated boot camp and A school and is now stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  I still cry myself to sleep sometimes.  But now it's because of the realization that he won't be back to live at home anymore.  He's grown and on his own.  I miss seeing him pull into the driveway, burst through the door and yelling "Hey mom, Im starved, what's to eat?" This coming spring right after graduation my youngest son will be following in his brother's footsteps and leaving for boot camp.  No more football games, basketball games, proms, etc.  My house will be very empty. I definitely feel your pain.

[Laina]

The box is the hardest thing to receive I think.  When I got the form letter though, I cried more about that.  Probably because of the excitement of just receiving it.  When I got the form letter, that's when I knew I had the correct address.  And you should receive that very soon.  My son graduates from boot on 2/11/11 and the description you have of your son reminds me so much of mine.  Believe me, it gets easier.  Be glad you have your other boys to keep you going.  My other son helps me so much.  When you get to write, send pictures.  He will love them.  And pray for God to wrap His loving arms around him each and every night and pray that he sees you and his brothers in his dreams laughing and having fun.  Thats what I do and it has helped soooo much.  I will keep you in my prayers.  GOD BLESS!!!! and GO NAVY!!!!!