HELP My son is leaving officially on June 9th

[mfavored]

My son is leaving for BC on June 9th.  So full of emotions Tears are falling as we speak.  I cant believe the day is almost here.  I remember it was last year when he told me his ship date.  WOW  I am trying my best to stay strong and definitely not to break down in front of him We are enjoying the time together and right now I am getting together a going away BBQ  Just want to talk to someone whose child is about to leave or just left  Deep down I know he is gonna be just fine  I guess it is just separation anxiety

[jane]

I think its the hardest before they leave. You are feeling just what I went through a week ago. My son left Memorial Day and I cried the whole weekend before. Every time I went to speak to him I would cry. It's a bit better now. One suggestion I would make is send him with his cell phone. He can text you from the airport and when they land, etc. It really helped me. He didn't call me because he thought I would cry, but texts were great. It helped follow his progress. When he gets there, he will get to make a quick call. If he doesn't sound like himself, he is probably just tired. As soon as he leaves, write your first letter. It will be difficult to keep the tears from falling on it, but it does help. I got the box and the form letter about 6 days after he arrived. Then you can rush down to the post office and mail all of those letters that you have written. If you do send him with the cell phone it will just come back in the box with everything else. Know that we will all be thinking of you tomorrow.

[Jaz04]

Definitely send the cell if possible. It helped me to be able to text with Steven through out the day today.

[heis63(NUKE MOM)]

You don't have to wait for the form letter to get the address. Call his recruiter 2 days after they leave... He can get the address for you and then get those letters in the mail. They won't get them for 2 weeks... but THEY LOVE the first mail call!!! Positive Positive!!!!! I write my son morning and night and give him the low down on home. I am lucky he was able to call for the first time last night. He has been there for 4 weeks now... Hang on Ladies.... it does get better. As soon as you know the PIR date make reservations at the hotel. We are here for you!

[ilovelucy]

mfavored: how did things go yesterday? Are you ok? Come type to us when you feel like it.

susan

[malacz]

How are you doing? I know It is hard to think about anything but your son. My son left 3 weeks ago, I got his first letter the other day and he said don't worry, I'm okay, that makes me feel a little better, but still miss the heck out of him.Just think of that wonderful man your son is and will become.

[Daryl]

I too am waiting for the box to arrive. My son arrived in GL 2am Saturday morning. He landed at 8pm and they made them all wait , sitting on the floor for several hours until they were taken to training. He called and said "this is so much fun,mom", I couldn't believe it, he reassured me he was fine and told me to "listen , I have to tell you these important things", told me about the box, and the phone call in about 3 weeks or so, then he had to hang up. I was happy and sad at the same time. We miss him, but, I keep reminding myself that he is where he wants to be. I play tricks in my head too. Even when he was home he was "never home", if you know what I mean, always working or over friends houses, so I pretend he is at work during the day and at a friend at night, it keeps me going. I look forward to getting some mail, info what ever, I even can't wait for the date of PIR, I want to make my reservations etc... I am so excited. I hope these 9 weeks go fast. I have sent him his first letter today, his recruiter called this morning with his address. I posted facebook for all his friends to write to him also. I hope he gets alot of mail that first mail call, he will be thrilled.(ship 12/ div 266)

[Sandy's_sailor son]

Hi Daryl, My son arrived at GL on the 15th. When he called us, he said that he loved it. Who likes boot camp? My son of course!!. My son is in (ship 12, Div 268.) his graduation date is August 6th. I can't wait to see him.

Sandy

[Sandy's_sailor son]

Hello, My name is Sandy and I know how you feel. My son shipped out for boot camp this June 14th. My son told me he was joining the Navy in April of this year. I only had about 9 weeks to visit with him before he left. When he told me the news I was very happy for him because this was something he has wanted to do since he was 8. However, as June 14 got closer, I just wanted to cry. I made a big effort not burst into tears in front of him. This was so hard. When June 14th did arrive, we went out to breakfast together as a family. We were all in tears. After breakfast, we had to drop him off at the recruiters. I was crying my eyes out. The recruiter told me that this is always very difficult for the moms. I guess I am not the only one who cried like a baby when her son or daughter left??

I got a call from Brenden when he arrived at boot camp and one about a week later. He told me that everything was fine and going well. I received a box from him with his civilian cloths and a "Form Letter" with his ship number and crew number. He is ship number 12, Div 268. Now I am waiting for another call from him. I think I read somewhere that it is 3 weeks after arriving. How long was it before your son called you?
Sincerely,
Sandy