The Journey has Started

[Navy_Sister14 (Ship04 Div292)]

We dropped my brother off in Minneapolis, MN at MEPS on 07-08-10. That was the single most difficult day of my entire life. (at least one of them anyways) I watched him do his final swear in, as tears rolled down my face. Saying good-bye and walking away was hard. I did feel selfish just standing there crying and hugging him. I thought to myself, "stop crying, this is good for him.. he's doing a good thing for himself and for this country.." But I'm only human, a human that gets very emotional! lol. I miss him more than I have missed anyone. But I have never been more proud of anyone either!

The ride home (about 3 hrs) was very difficult. He wasn't with me. I had to let him go into this huge world and try to live it on his own. I'm his big sister and I'm supposed to protect him... but now he'll be doing the protecting. I'm starting to feel better. To be quite honest, I think I'm just feeling so lost because of the lack of communication. I went from living with him, working with him, and talking to him every single day to nothing at all. But I think that once he's out of boot camp and we can talk more often, I'll feel much better.

Soo, a few days have past and we got it today.... the box. I thought it would've made me feel sad but it actually made me feel anxious. We're just another step closer to graduation and seeing him.

To keep my sanity, I've been writing on his facebook wall as if he can read it. lol, silly.. I know. But he'll enjoy it when he can see it after boot camp.

I guess that's pretty much it for now. Brother left, I miss him, got the box, I'm excited to see him soon... yep, I'm pretty sure I covered it :)

Also, anyone else have a family member start boot camp on 7/8?

[Michigan Cindy]

Hi, Navy Sister. Sounds like you are really close with your brother. How cool! Boot Camp is kind of hard, but it is so amazing to see what comes out of the chute at the end of it. Just eight weeks and you will meet a different young man. Make sure you get to his PIR. There's nothing like it!

[gsdkids (daughter AN)]

Navy Sister - good for you and your love and support of your brother. What a great Big Sis you are?! I saw a suggestion on one of the sites to routine print out the SR's facebook posting and mail it to them. It gives them something to look forward to besides your letters. Explore all over this site it is invaluable and will give you lots of suggestions. Good luck to you and Jordan.

[suzieQ]

Navy Sister, my husband also left on 07/08/2010. It has been hard especially because we have a 13 month old son who misses his dad like crazy! I haven't recieved my package yet. Did it mention when the graduation date would be? His recruiter called me with his address so I've already sent him a letter and also a calling card and stamps. I wish we knew when they would call, Im so worried that Im going to miss his phone call. I usually have my phone with me at all times, but I'm going on vacation so it really worries me.

[Lynne]

Be sure to join your boot camp mom's girlfriends and families sites so that you can get love and support from other family members in your loved ones divisions. There are so many groups on this site. You will find one that meets your needs. It is okay to cry, my son leaves in September and my tears fall at the oddest times. You are going on a journey too. More seasoned mom's say the box comes usually in 5 to 7 days, with the PIR letter or graduation notice the next week which hallelujah has the address in it and then a week later perhaps the first letter and then after that the first phone call. So there is a period of silence. Start writing those letter now. The boot camp forums have lots of suggestions about what you can write. Keep it upbeat and funny. Remember he needs to laugh, your encouragement, and your love and to believe that you believe he can do it. You can print out a synopsis of his favorite shows, scores of his favorite sports teams...just remember white paper, white envelopes....nothing that will get him noticed. Hope that helps.

[djloch (Zac's Mom)]

oh I can so relate to your blog..my son left June 29th and I was doing the same thing, crying and telling my self to stop cause I knew he was so excited and so proud..but my tears were mixed of selfishness on my part of missing him and pride at what a responsible young man he had become to make such a courageous decision. I got my first letter from him this past weekend and that assured me that his life decision was the right choice..he was so upbeat in his letter. Yes he was explaining how all the tasks were difficult but he was complaining he was explaining them as a challenge and I could hear the pride in his words as went on to tell me of his accomplishments in those tasks. I have written him everyday and with every letter I have filled him in on the everyday drama with his sisters that I know he's not missing (LOL) but I also encourage him on and I mailed them all at once so he could have them all to read along the week with any free time. Hang in there!

[mom 56]

hi guys just to let you know that we are not to use the guys last name on anythingso be really carefull if you send pictures or anything mark them out before you send them even talking on line it can harm them

[Navy_Sister14 (Ship04 Div292)]

First of all, I love this site!! It has been so helpful and encouraging reading all of your comments :)

Cindy- Me and my brother are very close! We've already made plans to attend PIR. I wouldn't miss it for the world!!

gsdkids- Thank you, I know he needs all the love and support he can get and what better of a source than his big sis, huh?! lol. That's a good idea, I should print that stuff out because I've noticed other people writing on his facebook as well.. Thanks! :)

suzieq0606 - We only live like 4-5 hours away from Great Lakes so maybe that is why we recieved it sooner.. It only contained his belongings, nothing about PIR. I can't wait to find out when that is. Will you be going to PIR? Listen for my brother's name Jordan, Wisconsin. I know I'm super scared I'm going to miss the calls too :( He called my mom's phone from his cell phone as soon as he landed at the airport and I answered and talked to him. He called again at BC (the scripted 2 min call) and my mom answered and got to talk to him. I haven't gotten his address info yet so I'm still waiting on that.

Lynne - Thanks for the information. It definitely helps out a lot to know a little info on what to expect rather than just sit here and have no clue whats going on! lol. I remember my brother telling me the do's and don't of sending him mail so that he doesn't get noticed... lol

djloch (Zac's Mom) - It is a crazy mixture of feelings and emotions, isn't it? I'm glad I'm not alone. I think that's why I love this site so much. I can't wait to get my brother's first letter!! He has been confident and seem so sure of himself of this decision since day 1 so I know his letter will be filled with all of the things he's doing. I'll be sure to express how proud I am of him more so than "I cry all the time cuz I miss you" lol. He probably already knows that anyways! Thank you for your kind words :)

Natasha Burnette Martin - I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry! And don't worry, things will be alright.. It's rough for sure going through these beginning steps but as time passes and each step goes by it becomes a lot easier. I'll definitely keep posting about his steps toward becoming a successful sailor. Including his PIR.


I hope you all like the picture I posted too!! Makes me so proud :)