Two Faced Mother

[Shelley (Doug's Mom)]

Dear son leaves tomorrow for BC at Great Lakes.  He's 26 and has been out of the house for a few years so I thought I'd get to skate by on all the separation anxiety.  But no.  It's amazing how you don't feel the need to talk with your adult kids every single day, but when you can't, you feel like they're 13 again.  Threw him a going away party last evening, it was great.  He gave things away (like his favorite leather bomber jacket) to his nephew and niece as if he were going off to die.  THAT is a little unnerving.  But he's dealing with his apprehension and stress in his own way, I suppose. I will continue the "you're going on a great life adventure" facade to him and come here to fall apart, if that's alright with all of you. Thanks for having me. I promise not to be a pest.

[Navy Girl's Mom]

My daughter left for Great Lakes on the 27th also. She's 19 and I'm having a very hard time. I received her box just 2 days later but still haven't received the form letter. Praying and waiting.

[Shelley (Doug's Mom)]

Wow, where do you live that you got her box already?  Just take it day by day, hour by hour if you have to.  No news is good news.  It's only two months.  She can do anything for two months. ;)

[AZ2OH2IL2UT]

Awe! I will be here falling apart as well!

[Melissa]

My son left on April 19th still can't get used to him not being home at night.

[AZ2OH2IL2UT]

Melissa-Well it hasn't even been 1 week, so I feel your pain. I can't get used to the house being so  quiet. I am so used to hearing him laughing and now it is so eerie. Have you gotten The Box yet? Where did he ship out from?

[Dee]

I'm glad I'm not the only one going through this. My son is at bc and he is 23. Been away from home for 5 years. Now that I can't talk to him whenever I want to it makes me crazy

[M'smom]

I think we all come here to fall apart! My son left April 27 and still can't walk past his room without crying.

[timtam79]

My 20 yr old son graduates this Friday. It has been hard not having him at home, but the extreme part of missing him did subside after about a month. I'm anxious now because he's being stationed in San Diego & we live in Louisiana. Talk about culture shock for him. Just stay strong for your kids & write lots of letters. It helps!

[dogloverinct]

That is so funny!  My son is also 26.  He's already been on his own and survived quite well.  He has been living with us most of the time since college.  Now that he's gone, my husband and I hafta figure out whose gonna do the dishes every nite after dinner, unload the dishwasher, keep up with the laundry, mow the lawn.....

I did our first food shop today without purchasing the "normal" amount of fruits, veggies, eggs, nuts, etc....

Wrote some of the first part of a letter to him earlier this evening.  

[Kimberly]

I have a daughter that is stationed in San Diego and it is quite a nice area. I have been to visit several times. They seem to adjust pretty quickly to the different environments.

[LSUMom95]

I am going through the exact same thing right now.  It's a lot different knowing they are 10 minutes away and you can call them anytime you want to or need them, but it is starting to hit me that will no longer be the case.   I don't want to rain on his parade because he is very excited, and while I am extremely proud of him, I can't help but feel like I am losing him in a sense. 

[Sandca890]

My 20 yr old son flew 2 Great Lakes yesterday 4 BC. I've been intermittently crying since. I don't understand my angst. He has been building for this for a year & 1/2. I am so proud of him & find myself thinking about him at every moment of the day. His words from his "I'm here" call that came in yesterday keep echoing in my ear...