He's been gone 5 longs days.......

[MJsproudmom]

My son has been gone 5 days so far.  It has been a roller-coaster emotionally.  I am upbeat most of the time, but can cry at the drop of a dime.  It is weird how one minute your are laughing and happy and then B O O M....you are crying.  Today, I went grocery shopping for the first time and when I got in the car I cried because my son is gone.  I worry about him and  I hope he is ok.  I just want some sign that he is doing fine and I don't need to worry about him.   Man this is part of being a mom that sucks, but as a parent I am over the moon proud of my Seaman Recruit.

[Jennifer PIR 12/05/14]

All of us here have been in your shoes. People will tell you no news is good news and as much as it may suck it's the truth. Be patient he will call and write you when he can. My son just had his PIR last week Friday. Couldn't be more proud of my son.

[MJsproudmom]

I am so proud of my son and his desire to be a sailor makes most of my days easier.  It is because he wants it so much I worry.  I worry they will find something medically to send him home and that would be devastating to him.  Would I already have heard from him if he had a medical issue in processing?  I have never been one who handles the unknown very well.  I read everyday (sometimes a couple times) what he is doing in RTC.  My son is my first so letting go is something I have never done before.  Congrats on your son!  I can't imagine until I am in your shoes just how proud you are to see your sailor come through those doors.  I am looking forward to the day that I will be in your shoes.  Where is your son now?  Thanks for  your kind words.

[Jennifer PIR 12/05/14]

It is an amazing sight seeing all the new Sailors walking in to the drill hall. If you use Facebook join your son's PIR group when you get the form letter with the date.

My son is still in Great Lakes for A School. I get to spend a lot of time with him after PIR. I cried when I left him there and I got on a plane to come back to California.

[lemonelephant]

You will get used to the new normal.
Check your My Page.

[outi]

Write him every day but only good stuff.. he needs encouragement...time flies by, :-)

[teaj]

I am exactly where you are! My son left on the 4th and last night for the first time I let it go in a cry fest.  I took some laundry of his that was still sitting there to be put away, to his room, and I just sat on his bed and cried.  Miss him so much.  I have a daughter who is in graduate school, so I've been through the leave taking before.  This is so different.  People who haven't experienced it maybe don't get it. The new normal will come, but it's such a drastic transition.  I already recieved the "box" and am scanning the mail for the letter!  Take care!

[NavymomMary]

I cried a lot when my box arrived yesterday.  The emotions are mostly high and proud but then something just hits you and the tears come.  I have a 30 year old daughter who left more than 10 years ago but this is very different.  Hang in there!  Hopefully it won't be long before a real letter arrives!

[MJsproudmom]

Yep...the box came today.  When I went to the front porch, I just stood there.  I just looked at it.  Studied it, read the outside of it, took a picture of it and then cried.  I was proud to receive the box, but as a mom devastated.  I miss him so.... I have to say, knowing it was coming, I was in a weird way prepared for it.  This site has been amazing for support and info.  The more I research what to expect, I seem be able to handle things on a logically.  Then the switch happens and I cry.   The mom in me comes in.   I miss him and hope and pray he is ok.  I can't wait to get a letter and hear his voice.  I haven't opened the box yet.  I am not sure when I will.  Thank you everyone for being there.  

[Michelle]

My son leaves for BC tomorrow, he is at the hotel tonight, and I have not stopped crying for the past 3 days. I don't want to make him feel bad but I already miss him so much and he hasn't even left yet. I am so glad his recruiter told me about this site, at least I have an idea of what his days will be like. But yeah he hasn't gotten on the plane yet and I am already counting the days, he has 8 weeks of BC and 6 months of A school before I will see him again but thank god for modern technology. Hopefully once he gets to A school we can at least text.

[lemonelephant]

I hope you are planning to go to PIR. You will see him then. Yes, he will be aboe to call, text, and Skype once he is in "A" School when he is not in class or on duty or sleeping.

[NavyBratMom]

My SR has been gone 23 days :( I still cry......two days ago I got five letters from her, the letters made me laugh, cry, mad, sad, proud, phew so many emotions...........but these last two days have not have been as bad as the ones before being able to read her words. I can be totally laughing in a normal conversation with someone and then bam! It hits me, I cry....... as of late, I have been keeping busy, making a door hanger for the hotel room after her PIR, (graduation) I made blue candles with digital blue camo ribbon/ yellow ribbon with a ship anchors to burn (one is attached)…….they say it brings luck to our Sailors to burn a candle for them. If anything, it helps me feel like I’m helping her. I send her letters/cards every day…….. You can’t send too many. It’s like Christmas to them; she wrote that my letters bring her comfort. So stay busy doing that. Her good friend left Oct 22 and he graduates tomorrow……. Time is starting to go faster. Keep busy, it’s hard. 

[NavyBratMom]

thank you, I made a few different types, I'm making a big one for Battle Station week, it's keeping my mind busy. I got real lucky to find the blue camo ribbon at the dollar store, The anchors were only a couple a bucks at the arts and craft store. Have fun. :)