Son left today (6-15-15) for boot camp

[lawlady1963]

Today was the day, and he left around 11:30 this morning.  I am bursting with pride for him, and very proud of the young man he has become.  But, man, am I sad for myself.  It was so very hard giving him that final hug and turning him loose.  For 20 years he has slept under my roof.  All I can think about is how fast those 20 years went by, and that although he is ready, I was not.  I know it will get better for me...I just hope it's soon.  He got teary-eyed when he hugged me good-bye, and that just tore me up inside.  He may be all grown up, but when I look at him I still see my little boy. 

Thank you for listening.

[Lucille⚓️Nicoles Mom]

Yesterday my brother in law gave my husband and I a letter my daughter had wrote to us before she left. It was very emotional reading it. Her dad got very emotional, it's been very hard on him also. I received her brown box today. Trying to stay strong.

[lawlady1963]

Ohhhh, that must have been so hard.  I received 'the box' today.  It was very surreal...I just kept looking at it, and turning it and looking at his handwriting.  Seeing his toothbrush and his phone got me. 

We can all get through this together!

[Ruth Ann]

Mine leaves 7/21.  He turns 18 on 7/12.  Has gotten a dive contract for after boot camp.  That's when I start getting nervous!

[Amy L.]

My son left on the 6/15/15 also!   I was fortunate enough to be at the airport with him that afternoon and got to spend that time with him, but when he had to board his plane and I had to let him go!   They would not let me through the checkpoint of course and watching him walk down that long hallway tore me to pieces!!!  I still cry now just thinking about it!!   I had told myself over and over I did not want to cry in front of him because I didn't want that to make it more difficult on him but I could not help it!!   And now not being able to talk to him is making it much worse for me!!     I keep going on the Navy Recruit website just to see where he is (I know that's a little crazy!) and I cry at the drop of a hat because I'm always thinking of  him and what he may be doing and how he is handling it!!  I am SO VERY PROUD of him but like every other mother on here you just can't let go that easily, and we aren't suppose to, we are mothers after all!!   But we have to let them go and be their own person.   And I know everyone else is just as happy as I am that each one of them has chosen this very admirable service to pursue their dreams!   I did want to say something to Edmie who posted that she can't eat, can't sleep.  Please think of your son or daughter  and know that #1:  They are definitely being taken care of, #2:  They are going to make you so very proud!!!   You have to keep yourself healthy for your child!!!   They desperately want you to be happy for them!!!   I know how hard it is, my son is my only child and this has been the hardest thing I have faced in my life!   And I just lost my mother to Cancer 4 weeks ago (2 wks before my son was to leave) so it has been especially hard for me.  What keeps me going is the fact that I will get myself to that graduation in August and he will see on my face nothing but absolute pride!!!!!   And I will encourage him to follow his dreams!!!   I hope you get better and please know there are a lot of people that are willing to talk!!!   We all have special children!!!!! 

[lawlady1963]

Oh, I just love what you wrote!!!  I did NOT want to cry in front of my son...I had forbidden myself to, for the very same reasons you stated.  But when I pulled back from that last hug, and saw the tears just sitting there in his eyes...I choked up.  He just became my little boy again, on the first day of kindergarten.  I think of him constantly:  wondering what he's doing, how he is eating, how he is sleeping, hoping he's not homesick too badly, hoping he's made some friends...wondering everything.  I cry easily, and I've also noticed I'm easy to anger...I guess my nerves are on heightened alert.  I'm working on that second part...that's not fair to my family.  Maybe not so much anger, as it is irritation.  I'm working on it.  I, too, am extremely proud of my son.  He had always planned on military; that's why he too NJROTC three years in high school.  But, when he graduated, he kind of stagnated.  I think the reality of it hit him hard, and he just needed a breather to re-group.  He came to me in February and said he was ready to talk to a recruiter.  And now, here we are...and there he is.  And I can't wait til August!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I haven't seen edmie back on...I would love to talk to her and let her know we are here for her.  What you said, is spot-on.  It's important to stay healthy on our end as well.

I'm very sorry about your mother.  I know that was hard.  My mother passed away from brain cancer in 1983, when I was 19 years old.  I know how hard that is.  I'm very sorry.

[Amy L.]

Good morning!!!   Thanks for writing back, it really does help to know someone else is there at the same place you are!   And feeling the same way you do.  I have been on "edge" myself, I am so irritated I jump at the slightest little thing!   I had a scare just yesterday, I thought I was having a heart attack, got dizzy, heart palpitating.  It went away and a friend told me it was a panic attack but all I was thinking is NO not now I can't get sick now or have something happen to me now, I HAVE to get to Chicago.  I'm worried that I won't get there, that something will happen!   Keep my phone on my now at all times, walked outside to water my plants last night and left it in the house and almost had another panic attack when I realized I didn't have it, went flying back in to get it!!  :)   My son (Will) did same thing after High School, he was not in NJROTC but he had always talked about joining one of the services!  I was very happy when he did choose the Navy over the Army however!!!   Nothing wrong with the Army I just somehow felt "safer" with the Navy.   Also sorry you lost your mother at 19, I know that must have been devastating.  My mother was 84 and my father passed away in October of last year, they were married 55 years and we think she just couldn't live without him, the will just left her.  It's ok, we know they are together now and in Heaven!  Thanks again for the response back and the friend request!   It helped me a lot and that is greatly appreciated!!   I have read that some have heard the graduation is on August 14th, I haven't received "the letter" yet but I see one lady already booked her hotel room for 8/14??   That's another thing I do is RUN to the mail box every day I get  home!!!  :)    Hope you have a wonderful day and stay strong!!!  :)

 

If Edmie is still on here and can see this:   Please take care of yourself and let us know if you need to talk!!  

[lawlady1963]

I was thrilled that my son was not interested in Marines or army...for the same reason as you!!!  Now mind you, my son in law was in the Marines for seven years, and did three tours in the middle east.  Then he got out of the Marines and went in the Army Reserves...so I have the utmost respect for Marines.  They are TOUGH.  I just viewed them as more 'boots on the ground' than Navy or Air Force...but I could be wrong.  My son originally wanted Air Force, but every time we would go to the recruiter office, it was locked up, and phone calls went unanswered.  He walked into the Navy office to ask if they knew anything about the Air Force office...and well, now he is Navy!!!  He's very happy with his choice, and it was just meant to be. 

My dad passed away in 2011. He had remarried a wonderful lady who gave him 25 wonderful years (same number of years with my mother!).  He would be so very proud of my son Bradley!  My dad was career Air Force, and was a big influence on my sons' decision to join the military.  Brads' plans to make a career out of the Navy.  Oh, the graduation...I read that if you count nine Fridays from the week they arrive you will get the approximate PIR date, but it is urged not to make plans until you get the official date.  August 14 is the same date I have come up with, but we haven't made plans yet, not in concrete.  We are waiting for the letter.  First 'the box', now 'the letter'!  It's always something! 

My phone is glued to me, too.  I went outside to sit on the porch, and when I came back in I realized I had left my phone on the end table.  Panic!!!  I check and double-check that the ringer is turned up as loud as it will go!!!  It would break my heart if I missed a call!

Have a wonderful evening, and talk to you later!!!

[Amy L.]

I know he'll make his grand-dad very proud!!  Both my  parents knew Will was going to join the Navy and my dad was very proud but did not get to even know the date he would be leaving.  My mom was a little different, she loved him so much and just kept crying every time she would ask me if he was still leaving on 6/15.  So in a way I think she just couldn't bear having to say bye to him!   I did go ahead today and I made reservations at The Navy Lodge, I called several other places I found on the MWR site that were close and they were already booked.  She was very nice and had all kind of information for me, said I could cancel or change anytime up until the day before.   I just wanted something close and easy to get to the base so I went ahead and called them.  You have a wonderful evening as well!!!   Oh, check out the group they have posted today "PIR 08/14/2015 TG 40"  not much on their yet but I think it will be beneficial to us!!!    

[lawlady1963]

Thank you for that info!  I'll check them out.  And maybe I should go ahead and make our plans!

[lawlady1963]

Ok, I'm getting a little flustered over arrangements.  I looked at The Navy Lodge and it looks good so far, and you can't beat that rate ($66), but where is this MWR site you looked at?  I have to compare everything, lol!  So I just want to see what else there is up there.  ~~Linda

[Amy L.]

Good morning girl!!!!   Hope you had a good night!  I found a lot of information on this website.   look at the bottom of the page and there is a link to the MWR site!!!    Also the lady that did my reservations at The Navy Lodge was very help with information and told me to call her with any questions at any time!  Hope this helps!!

 http://www.bootcamp.navy.mil/fam_guide.aspormation

[Amy L.]

Sorry if that link didn't work just google Recruit Training and click on Recruit Training Command Home Page--U.S. Navy.  www.bootcamp.navy.mil   and under the "families" tab is the "family guide"!