Welcome to Navy For Moms- Introduce yourself!

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Though you can click on everyone's profile to learn more about them, I thought I start a thread for people to introduce themselves to the forum community. :)

[shell]

Hi Linda, hang in there. Nice to meet you.
Shell

[Linda Pierik(Cameron's Mom)]

Thanks Shell,
I just wrote him my 7th letter and he's only been gone 6 days! He is going to know me better now then when he was home! I tell him about the day and about the family and try to include funny things to make him laugh. Through all of the letter I am crying but he doesn't know that. I can't wait to hear from him.

[Coleen]

Hi! I'm Coleen. Just joined. Let's see if I'm doing this right.
Son Josh is studying to be a PR at Pensacola NAS. Josh PIR'd Oct. 12, 2007. For all you new BC moms- write a letter and send it every day. Josh told me that it was the mail that got him through on the tough days. Keep the letters upbeat and discuss everyday things. Josh loved when I printed pics of his friends from marching band and printed clips of his favorite comics - I typed my letter around the pictures.

[Kimandtheboys]

Oh, Linda, I had a hard time when Kyle's clothes arrived from boot camp, too!!

And talk about melt downs. Kyle shipped out on a Tuesday, and Friday I remembered that my husband had told me to call the insurance company to take him off our policy so we weren't paying for him while he was gone. So I dial the 800 number and get a lady on the other end. Here's our conversation:

ME: Hi, I'm calling to take one of our kids off our auto policy who is no longer living at home.
HER: Sure, I can help you with that. Is he just away at school?
ME: No, he joined the Navy.
HER: Oh, I see, has he left yet?
ME: Yes, he left three days ago.
HER: Oh, Honey, how are you doing?
ME: Terrible!! (as I am now starting to well up with tears)
HER: Oh, Sweetie, I'll be prayin' for you!

At this point I turn into a blubbering idiot on the phone and can no longer talk! She had to wait a good 3-4 minutes for me to stop crying long enough to even tell which kid it was who left. She was a real sweet older mom who had "been there" and her kind words just opened the floodgates.

He's been gone 4 weeks and I still can't walk into his room. But most of the time I'm okay, especially now that we get mail from him once a week.

[Linda Pierik(Cameron's Mom)]

-Thank you for this sometimes I think I am going nuts...When his clothes arrived today I just picked up his hoodie and held it to me. I miss him and can't believe I can't talk to him. I haven't done the life insurance thing yet. As far as his room I went in the day he left and cried then hyperventilated something that has never happened to me before. I scared my husband and myself. It's been five days and my thoughts are consumed with what he's doing and if he's ok. His sister bought him a navy stuffed bear from build a bear and my younger daughter sleeps it every night. This is terribly hard for all of us and knowing I am not alone helps. I look forward to my first letter from him. I hope he is doing better than I am. I guess the hardest thing is his absence and not being able to talk to him for a long time. Thank you for sharing your feeling it helps so much....

[shell]

My daughters (16,15) are both being so mean to their brother right now. (he doesn't leave till September) It is so weird to watch because the three are so close, they share friends, have classes together, hoodies and are together so much. My older daughter cried the whole weekend Steve was at Meps and the younger daughter took his tshirt and cap and hid them from him. It is worse then when they were all toddlers. I am hoping that this acting out will make his leaving a little easier for them. We are a pretty connected family.

[shell]

Oh CC you are so normal. I was at the school senior meeting (about 9 moms). And one of the moms actually told me to get over it! Her child is going to college a whole 65 miles away. The concept that you can't get in your car and go to your child, and that their job may require little contact , just wasn't anything this small North Dakota town could understand.
Like I always say growing up is awful, and I am talking about us moms not the kids.

[Linda Pierik(Cameron's Mom)]

OMG we are all going through the same thing. I have 1 friend who understands my feelings the rest are saying "your miserable" well my boy has been gone 17 days with no contact. Hmmm how would they feel? Thats what I want to say but I don't. I just come here and talk to all you wonderful gals who know exactly the deal.

[shell]

Hi Coleen, nice to hear from you. Nice to meet you.

[Amy]

Hi Coleen that is the same day my daughter PIR'd Oct 12 07. She was in division 351 she is still in GL til Sunday then off to Pensacola for ABH. how cool to find a mom with the same PIR date :D
Amy
PNM of Nicole

[Patti Cole]

hi. My name is Patti Cole, and I am a newly recent proud navy mom. My son is in bootcamp and just left home for the first time on february 4, 2008. The hardest part for me is the "letting go". I liked my son the way he was and everyone keeps saying hes gonna change. what it he already is a good kid and i dont' want him to change. i got very lucky...
mom missing him much

[Tina]

Hello Patti, My name is Tina. I understand how you feel. My son graduates Friday 29th. First time he had ever been away from home. I was lucky too, I also had a great kid. Sports, Academics, no trouble except every now and then we would but heads. Yes, he is going to change, but for the better. In Jason's letters I could see the change each letter. He was more mature, more appreciative of his home, his upbring, & he even missed his sisters and the nephews. He felt like he was the lucky one. Mom will always miss the little boy. But know he's a man.