My sons journey began today (11-06-2011)

[jms93mom]

I have been dealing with anxiety the past few days, knowing that time was closing in on my sons childhood and his manhood was about to begin. Today, as I drove him to the recruiting office, I kept telling myself that I was not going to shed any tears in front of him, as I had shed enough last night as I feel asleep. Mission...failed! As I hugged my son goodbye, the faucet started, he told me that he would be okay. I reassured him that my tears were those of happiness, as he begins a new chapter in his life. I am so proud of him! I hope to find comfort through this site, as I know, I am not alone.

[natalie'smom]

Jms93mom, I know how you feel. My daughter left on 10/26/11 which was the hardest thing for me to do. She is now going on her second week. nfm has been so great & everyone is so supportive.

[jms93mom]

Thank you, Nataliesmom. For some reason I don't recall having these emotions for my oldest, as he started his college journey, but each road is different. Now the waiting begins...

[Jana]

jms93mom-I fully understand what you are going through.  My son left for boot camp on July 5 and PIR'd  on August 26.  Boot camp was the hardest thing I have ever had to go through, but this site is wonderful and will bring you much comfort.  Now that he is in A school it is much easier--we have communication back.  I was trying so hard not to cry when he went through that gate to get on the plane to GL, but just couldn't stop.  Thank goodness he had his back to me (I think because he knew what was going on, and didn't want to look).  He said he always knew there would be waterworks...lol...Write to him every day, even now before you have his address and once you get the form letter, mail them all at once and continue to write every day.  They live for letters from home.    He may not get to write you but once a week, although it will be several weeks before you actually get a letter from him.  They have to train the mail room PO before they can start receiving letters and it usually about 2 weeks I think before they can send their first letter.  Just hang in there...it will get better.

[KIM756]

You'll be in my prayers!  I have 2 boys leaving, one is my son who leaves 12-6-11 and the other is his best friend who is a son to me he leaves home on Tuesday the 8th and flies out on the 9th.  I wish both my boys were leaving at the same time so I could have one big hurt instead of two. :(  Please keep us posted on how your son is doing.

[sasha]

my son just left and I cried after his dad drove him to recruiters office but his dad said he was happy and excited but I lost it when my son told him to tell Mom he loved me

[MzSnapCup-Ship03/Div025]

My son reported to boot camp on 10/27.  A few days after he left I took a gallon of paint and painted his room. Today I spent some time putting some more of his things away. Before he left we got him a giant plastic tote to store his items in the attic. He has a bunch of model cars, swords, books, etc. I rearranged the furniture and added a folding table and my sewing machine. I guess I'll take up a new hobby to pass the time. While I'm so proud of him and the decision he has made for his future, there's a huge whole because of his absence. I just can't believe how much it hurts that he is gone - and that he will move on to Virginia after boot camp. And from there, who knows?

[jms93mom]

Thanks, Ladies! I took a few days off from work to get myself together. I do plan on wiping our local Hallmark store out tomorrow. I've made a promise to myself to only send cards of encouragement and humor. The hardest card I will have to send will be for his 18th birthday, next Sunday and will be extremely late. I can survive Thankgiving and Christmas, as I work those days and can focus on the fact, it's one day closer to a graduation date. I recently moved into a smaller place, so most of his belongings are packed. Today, I came home and put on one of his favirite hoodies, hoping to catch one last scent of him and I can only smile (tears to follow).

[Popeye's Mom Alum DIV 031 1-6-12]

 

Hi jms93mom,

I wore my son's Sons of Anarchy hoodie to my water aerobics class at the Y! People probably think I'm crazy but I don't care. It absolutely makes me feel closer to him! He left on 10-31-11 so all we've had is that 1st phone call where they tell you 3 things & say they love you & that's it. I am missing him more now instead of earlier. His Dad had a really hard time. He's a great big man but he's a marshmellow & this is his buddy & the baby. Glad you're on here. Hope to talk again. Take care!

 

[loganmyseaman(SHIP07/DIV035)]

jms93mom,

My son left on 11-03-2011 and his words to me the day before were mom remember when I was little and played baseball and coach would say that there is no crying in baseball, well the same saying goes for the navy; It was very hard not to shed a tear in front of him to express how proud I am of him and this choice he made, I did hold it together until I got back to my car and started driving....I think we will find alot of comfort from the site and we are alone....Thanks:)

[kimberlydale (corpsmanmom)]

Hi jms93mom, 

Hope you are doing ok .... it is such a big step for our boys and all I keep hearing is they leave as boys and return as men. My son left on Nov. 1 and we are just waiting now for his address. This is going to be an extremely tough 2 or 3 months. I didn't cry when he left until after we got home and his shoes were sitting on the back porch .... I can't say it has gotten better yet ... but each day I am writing to him and this helps a little. Two of his buddies stopped by tonight and it just hit me hard again ...dang i am such a cry baby :(:( ....this site definatley helps , just to hear other's experiences....

Kim

[Popeye's Mom Alum DIV 031 1-6-12]

 

Hi kimberlydale,

Well I guess we are a family of bawl babies cause we all cried- Mom, Dad, & sister. I don't think it upset him cause he was so excited. He was in DEP since last Spring, I think. He just wanted to get there! I said to someone else that he went on October 31st but it was actually November 1st. Go the days mixed up cause we went to MEPS to see him off. We decided not to do the airport cause our daughter had to catch a flight back to Florida at 5PM & we weren't sure we would make it. Can I ask where you are from? We're in Ohio. Maybe our guys will meet-lol.

Roz

[jlmjtat(ship 12 div 032)]

to jms93mom, my son left 10/31, i thought i was doing good until today, I miss him badly.