The Wait Begins...

[fayegirrl4*]

My mother and I just returned from watching my son/her grandson swear in at MEPS. We'e been up since before 5 am b/c who really sleeps while anticipating this big day?

Im please to say that my son is READY to go and get started. He looked a bit tired but did not fall apart at any point while at MEPS. Not even when my mom asked if he wanted to go home with us.

I held the tears back which shocked me! I felt an odd sense of calm on the drive home ( about an hour and a half from our MEPS branch) but lost it when I read my son's last post on social media. He truly amazes me. MY husband and I have done our job for now. Our young man is ready to make his way in this crazy world. I am so proud of him for choosing to serve our country and he is 100% Navy.

We've had a super busy 7 months with Senior year activities, Prom, Graduation , two parties, sibling birthday, two holidays so now I can BREATHE for a second.

I can't wait to meet more parents of SR's and read all of the amazing stories, good and not so good.

Sorry for the rambling..not sure what to do now so I should probably start writing letters!

[Amy L.]

Congratulations and welcome!!!   My son left for Chicago on 6/15, he graduates on 8/14/15!   Hope all goes well for your son, I'm sure he will do wonderful!!   They are all great men!!!  It's very hard to let them go, I was with my son at the airport the day he left and when he had to go it broke my heart!  The hardest day of my life!!!  It goes by fairly quickly, the first week is waiting on "The Box" with all his belongings he had when he left, then the wait for "The letter" this will give you his official address and his PIR date!!!   My son left on a Monday, we received the "box" on that Thursday and we received the letter on the next Friday (about 2 weeks).  I just received my 1st phone call from him this past Sunday, exactly 3 weeks from when he left!!  this website has been my salvation and I have met some wonderful people that I feel are now my good friends, even hooked up on FB with some of them!!!   Good luck to you and to your son!!!  

[lemonelephant]

Amy, check your My Page.

[fayegirrl4*]

Thank you Amy L! It is so NICE to read that I am not the only emotional person. I cry when I hear the National Anthem, I cry at parades , I cry for all of the parents and families that let their loved ones use those wings that have been so carefully and ( most of the time) lovingly nutured to go off into the great wide world.

It is so EMPOWERING to read about everyone's SR.  IT is just hard to believe that 18 years ago I held my son on my chest and could only imagine what his future would be.

I am PROUD of him for having the courage that I do not have. IT will indeed be a very long 3 or so weeks before we hear from him but one that gives me hope.

Yay for receiving your first phone call from your SR!! I can't imagine the feeling!!

Continued blessings for your SR and you!  I am looking forward to meeting and making new friends, especially the new "badges" we will have soon-- PROUD NAVY MOMS!!!

[lawlady1963]

I just had to respond to this.  My son left on June 15, arrived at RTC on June 16.  My emotions have been an up and down rollercoaster since he left.  First and foremost, I am extremely proud of my son.  I think he is absolutely wonderful, as all us momma's think about our children.  Letting him go, though, was a whole different story.  That final hug...took everything I had to release him and watch him walk away.  We spend all that time leading up to boot camp getting them ready, and there really is no manual on how to get US ready.  I guess that's just the way it is supposed to be.  I waited on pins and needles just waiting to hear from him...and I finally did this past Sunday.  Ah, he sounded wonderful, and he was happy...and that made me happy.  That emotional rollercoaster, though...is a doozy for me.  I watched the graduation live online this past July 2...and bawled like a baby.  And I don't know a soul who graduated!!!!!!  Not one person!  But you would have thought I knew them all by the amount of tears I cried!  The first three weeks are the hardest, because there really isn't any contact between you and your child, other than the box and the form letter, and of course the 'i'm here' phone call.  If I can get thru it, anybody can.  Just hang in there, start writing your letters (number the envelopes so your recruit knows what order to read them in, in case they all arrive at once.  My son received seven letters from me on the first day of mail call...but didn't notice til afterward that I had numbered the envelopes...maybe you'll have better luck with that lol).  I'm sorry this is so much longer than I had planned...you and your recruit are in my prayers!

[RedMittens]

What a LOVELY post!
My son is older and still waiting to go to boot camp, but I think I will feel the same.The wings we give them will serve them well.
You deserve a little break! :)

[fayegirrl4*]

Thank you, RedMittens! :-)

I am trying to give myself time to process everything but I am the type that just can't really CHILL OUT.  I am on my way to the Y to workout then back home to tackle some music booster items ( Im the VP of our high school's parent volunteer group) and maybe do some cleaning out of the basement.  Perfect day for it here in SW Ohio-- rainy!!!

Keeping you and your future SR in my heart and prayers for a wonderful summer together. The phrase, "Don't Miss them while you have them" is so true!!!  

Hang in there!

[Arlene21]

Sounds exactly like we have been through.  We were at the hotel last night until about 9:00 PM and up early today for swearing in and leaving.  we also had 2 parties (Graduation and sending off) and the whole senior year stuff.  He called about an hour ago and said he was eating at the airport in Chicago and then going to the USO.  We too are very proud.  Now I cant wait until graduation.

[fayegirrl4*]

Arlene 21, Congrats and best wishes to your SR!  Yes,  now I can focus on graduation and all the fun with that!

There is so much to learn! We have military service on both sides of the family but it is different when it's YOU.

Looking forward to hearing how your SR progresses! Hang in there.. WE have your back !

[stephensmom]

ngWelcome to this amazing journey! Yes, start writing because those letters are so important to them! My son left six months ago, and it has been wonderful to witness his transformation over the last few months. :)

[fayegirrl4*]

stephensmom, Thank You!
I tried to start writing/typing a letter last night but I was so overcome with a wide range of emotions that I literally fell asleep with my clothes on , partially sitting up on our couch!

I will start today and probably every day because Im just OC that way!

Can't wait to see the transformation. I glimpsed shades of it yesterday at MEPS.  It was so exciting yet so frightening!  I began to question whether I had done all that I could do to prepare my son. Then I said a silent prayer for God to show me and my son the way and for Peace. That helped.

I am so thankful I was told about this site!  It will truly be my saving grace!

[fayegirrl4*]

Hang in there Natters31! Don't be surprised if you son gets delayed flying out, well, depends on where you are at.  There is rain in Ohio and will be raining most of the day. I swear we have not had a week of sun this summer!

It does hurt to let them go but keep telling yourself it's the right thing to do. If you son hasn't expressed any reservations ( that is a proud moment, knowing that you have done a great job raising such an independent person) then just smile back those tears. But, you can cry later! Believe me... I have and did this am when I opened up this page!

Keep your head up and focus on PIR! That's what Im doing. Oh, and I have another son at home but it's his SENIOR YEAR so I get to go through the roller coaster again.  Which includes a visit to a Navy recruiter AHHHHHHHH!!!!!

WE will lift each other up and celebrate together when we have SAILORS!!!!

[lemonelephant]

fayegirl, check your My Page.