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July 29, 2013
I am new to this site and so happy I found it! My son leaves for GL on July 29th and I have mixed emotions but I am so proud of him. Just looking for other moms/family going through the same thing. It is always nice to know you are not alone!
Views: 1173
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Phoebs on
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I as well am new to this site and happy that I was told about it. My son left for GL on July 3. I have been so proud of his decision to join the Navy. Many of the parents and my friends didn't/don't understand how I could be so happy about his decision and support him the way I have. I wish I would have read some of the information on this sight before he left so I could have been better prepared before he left. I did find this sight the night before he shipped out and we discussed some of the stuff. I suggest you find and read the article on how to prepare your son/daughter for BC. It will also help prepare you for what to expect when he leaves. It will explain "the box" the 15-30 sec phone call etc. Which will make it a bit better knowing what is going on. You should be proud of your son he has made an awesome decision. I can't image being any prouder of my son then when he said he was going to join the Navy! They have made a decision to better themselves and become men as we have raised them to be. We raise our children to spread their wings and move on in life. Hang in there I wish I could tell you I haven't had tears but they are tears of joy as well as "feel sorry for me tears", because I will miss having him around everyday. They are tears of "love"! I wish your son the best of luck and hope he finds in life everything he is looking for and MOST of all tell him "Thank You for serving our country"!
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Permalink Reply by ChristinaMarie (Ship 14/Div 298) on
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Thank you so much! I am researching everything I can on here and trying to do the best I can. I am SO very proud of my son and like you, not everyone understood how I could be so supportive. My mom for example was so against it, but I reminded her that it is NOT about her or me. It is about him and what he wants to do with his life. He wants to Serve his Country and there is nothing that could possibly make me prouder of him. That doesn't make it "easy" by any means. The tears keep coming... Has it been any "easier" for you since your son left, or is it more difficult?
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Your absolutely right it is about him and not anyone else. My son too wanted to Serve his Country and it was the only thing he wanted to do. At one point we didn't know if it was going to work out for him, so we discussed college and what he wanted to do with his life; his answer was always the same. "I want to go to the Navy, thats all I have ever wanted." So he is off to BC. As far as easier "NO" probably a bit harder. I really miss those awesome strong hugs and the "I love you Momma". Before he left I would get sad thinking about it but he was around to talk to and was always so excited about his decision-so all I had to do was look at his face and see that big smile of his and the sadness would go away. A little hard to be sad when they look back at you with so much pride and excitement. I suggest you enjoy his company, when and if he allows it, don't hang on to tight. My son wouldn't let me hold on to hard. He got a bit wrestless prior to leaving..wanted to spend time with his friends as well. I kept telling myself and everyone else..I needed to let go..I think this was his way of trying to make it easier on both of us. Started the seperation a little sooner then the day he left, I really could have spent every waking hour with him but it wouldn't have done him or me any good. It didn't stop the tears the day we took him to MEPS. My husband told me to be strong for him..I really tried hard but the tears rolled down the cheek anyways. I watched with pride as he swore in, enjoyed that long strong hug and the tears just started. I tried to hide them and hold them back but I couldn't. We had the choice to stay a little longer until he was put on the bus to go to the airport. I made the decision to leave and not wait it was going to happen sooner or later and all I was doing was prolonging the inevitable. So with one last hug and "I love you" we left. We gave him instructions to call from Chicago prior to getting to BC. He called from Salt Lake and Chicago, so we had visited prior to receiving the short 15 sec call. The tears will continue to come at least mine still do; but you know what these are our boys and we have had them for 18 years of our lives what can we expect. I will be think of you the next couple of weeks, hang in there and enjoy all the "hugs" he will hand out the next few weeks and hold on tight each time, cherish the moments:)
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Wow just reading this makes me cry! I have been an emotional mess this last week... He leaves Sunday and reality is sinking in for us all. It is so nice to hear from you becasue everything you stated above is happening at home for me too. I have noticed him distancing himself more and more as the days go by and I know it is his way of starting the separation. Yesterday I asked for a hug and he said "later" and turned his head and left the room. He has never done that before and he has been so wrestless as well, trying to occupy his time with friends, fishing, going for walks, etc... I know that he is mentally preparing and must have so many emotions as well. I am trying not to hold on too tight. I am spending time with him but not trying to push him or "over do it." I try to hold back the tears until I am away from him. My husband (his step-dad) is trying to be supportive but he doesn't understand what I am going through. I have warned everyone at work that the tears may just come at any given moment (and they have)! His party is Saturday and that will be nice for him and will make the day a little easier. Sunday we take him to the Hotel and he is supposed to let me know when he will be swearing in so we can come to that as well - he actually leaves for Chicago Monday. Thanks for listening and sharing! It means so much!!
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Permalink Reply by maureenwithfive on
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Just hang on tight to him for the next two weeks! Cook his favorite meals, take him places and talk about the "remember when's", look at baby pictures together, go running with him, go see a movie together, do a family portrait before he leaves...
Yep, just basically smother him with love! -
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We are a week away and I can't believe it! We are going to see a movie this week and spent some time together yesterday just hanging out. He knows how much I love him and how hard this will be for me. I have 4 sons so he is not my only child, but each one is my WORLD and he is the first one to join the military so this is still a first for me and it isn't easy... But I am so proud of him. He is an amazing young man! I hope you are hanging in there as well!! I am so happy for this site becasue there is so much support and information here!
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One week left and struggling... yesterday was exactly a week until we take him to the Hotel and he leaves Monday for Great Lakes. The tears come and go every day which isn't easy when you are at work! Everyone has been very understanding and I am so thankful for that. Any words of wisdom or experience are greatly appreciated! :(
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Same for us... We spent yesterday up in Wisconsin visiting with his FAVORITE aunt and uncle. Actually they're my husband's aunt and uncle, but our sailor considers them his too.
My tears sneak up on me every now and then when I least expect it!
Last week was a blur of family activity (there's 7 of us): we visited the parks in the town he remembered the most as a child (he said everything seemed smaller); we visited his grandpa in a nursing home, and then stopped at one of his favorite restaurants called Portillos (none by our home); we went to the beach - also stopping on the way home at one of his favorite restaurants; and spent a lot of time helping him pack up his belongings and moving them to a storage facility (he has a library with over 5000 books!)
This week, it's going to be a little more laid back catching a movie sometime during the week, and having a fancy dinner out Saturday night at a Benihana-style restaurant.
His recruiter will be picking him up in the early afternoon on Sunday to take him to the MEPS hotel in Milwaukee. We'll drive up early Monday morning to see him sworn in, take some pictures and give him hugs and kisses before we say good-bye.
Time is flying by!
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Oh wow so your son leaves the same day mine does! So you know exactly what I am going through... :( Well I am glad to hear you guys did so much together. It is so important for these boys to know they are loved and supported and are the most amazing kids out there. We live in Texas but my husband is from Chicago so we are familiar with Portillos - GREAT place! My son is supposed to let me know when he will be sworn in Monday Morning so I can be there, but he says he doesn't know the time yet?? I don't want to miss it! I have broke down in tears 3 times already today...LOL - I am a mess and I am not sure why?!
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Permalink Reply by Trent33 on
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My youngest son leaves on the 29th also. We have had a full week, trying to do things that he likes to do and spend as much time with him as we can.
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Permalink Reply by AZNavymom on
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My son is leaving on the 30th. I think we'll be needing each other's support in just a few days! Hang in there!
L.
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Well, my son just left. I already miss his voice.
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