What I have learned since my Navy Mom journey has began

[MA2009Mom]

 I would like to share my journey to this point, I hope that in sharing my experiences I help some of ya'll. The day my Sailor left I held it together ok, Until he got into the recruiters car for that last ride to MEPS the day before shipping, My last hug to the "little boy i raised" ( well in my eyes) Left me heartbroken and a blubbering mess as soon as the recruiters car left.  The scripted Phone call at 1;45 am,hours after his Arrival at RTC  that was 22 seconds long, offered little to no relief, just more tears and another sleepless night. I found no peace and  my tears flowed, the first few days of not hearing, not Knowing,not being able to talk to my son were driving me insane, The silence was deafening! I didnt want to go into his room, I cried when writing my son letters. A little more than a week after he left I got my "boy in a box" it weighed 8.3lbs included his "last" civilian attire and yes it was stinky, BUT it was the BEST stink in the world! I hugged his jeans, I wore his cap, I smelled his clothes and I cried, I disengaged somewhat from life, I was sad, I was happy, I was proud, I was angry, I drove my lifelong friends crazy and then I found N4M (this was just the first two weeks mind you!!!!). I met many wonderful women all going thru the same things I was and I felt so not alone. I found strenght in reminding others that THEY too had raised smart and fantastic children, that they weren't alone in their feelings of heartbreak and pride.(it may seem silly but it's true) Some I had an instant connection, some i didn't get to talk to enough (I apologize) and a few didn't need any help at all because they seemed to have it handled just fine. (good for ya'll) You ladies helped me so much I am forever grateful and eternally blessed to of met each and every 1 of you! a few more weeks pass and the tears kept flowing, they flowed when I got my first letter (although they were more of joy and not sadness)

cried when I got my sons PIR date (CALL THE NAVY LODGE RIGHT AFTER YOU GET THAT LETTER!!!) A little advice if you dont get in right away call everyday because rooms are always being cancelled and opened back up. I hoarded the phone on Sunday's and wouldn't talk to anyone because that was his call day. DO RSVP for Sarge's Meet and Greet,He is a fountain of Knowledge and  you get to meet so many wonderful people who are all there for the same glorious reason you are. There are also very wonderful baskets that are made by some VERY talented people. (you find out how truly gifted some are) BEAUTIFUL BASKETS THURSDAY LADIES!!!  By Week 5 I was finally not a total water works fountain, but i didn't say no to that extra glass of wine at dinner either! I had lost weight I was stressed,I lived for receiving a phone call or a letter, I felt like a teenager waiting for "his call" 

, I cried to my"Navy Sister Moms" and bonds were created that will last a lifetime. I now have a Larger family! Nothing is stronger than a mother that gives her child wings only to remain grounded and watch them soar. I counted down everyday til i got to see my son Like a little kid waiting for Christmas Day. Then the "I'm a Sailor' Call. FOR JOY!!!! PIR day youre just so anxious to see and hug your sailor that you find  yourself muttering "hurry up and call LIBERTY" in your head over and over again all the while scanning over a most impressive sea of Class A's to find YOUR sailor. Don't worry it won't  take you nor your sailor long to find each other after that "liberty" call. It'll be one of the strongest most excited hugs you have ever received too! You hug you take pictures, you get ushered out the doors into the cold and you go pick up pictures, you hug your sailor more, you shed a few more tears, you find the other moms that have been your support system and you hug them, you meet their kids and you know that they are your new nephews and nieces because these women have become a piece of your heart forever. You introduce your kids they introduce theirs and the hugs start flying

because they are now a part of your heart,and a much as I was rooting and praying for mine, I was rooting and praying for theirs. When I got my son back to the motel I had Candy and Drinks waiting. After we had relaxed in the lodge a bit my son was hungry and so just he and I ended up riding around talking, and spending our time like we used to, (My son and I always have our best talks while he and I are riding around in the vehicle) My son had changed but the root of who he was before was still there and that offered me more relief. The Navy had returned to me a MAN, and I am extremely PROUD of that man! After dropping him back off at the gate friday night we set our alarms early to be with him at the airport before he left on Saturday at 1020 (your Sailor can get you a pass that gets you to his actual terminal) do pack your tissue or be ready to hold them in because the God's honest truth is 

IT IS NOT EASIER THE SECOND TIME as a matter of fact I'm pretty sure at this moment, it doesn't get easier I just have to learn to cope. I know i will survive this next stage because i already have a fantastic new family thanks to N4M that understands what I am going thru. So at the end of this Bootcamp experience, i am telling you, It's ok to cry, it's ok to be a wonderful mess, It's ok to drive everyone around you crazy, it's a roller coaster ride of emotions that only someone going thru this  can understand (trust me your friends unless they have been thru it WILL NOT understand) it's ok to hug the stinky clothes from your "boy or girl in a box", It's ok to be a phone hoarder on possible phone call days, It's ok to feel frustrated because of the "radio silent" times,

It's ok to stalk your mailbox, (it is after all YOUR mailbox), it's perfectly normal to cry everyday, it's perfectly normal to cry during those first letters to your SR (just dont let them know,always stay supportive and encouraging if you can). It's ok to run out to your sailor after they call "liberty" , It's ok to hug them and hang on like a sloth to a tree, you have afterall dreamed of this moment for those many many weeks. Most of all It's ok to burst with pride! (you did a great job in raising a fine young man or young woman) Thank You ladies, and I look forward to sharing my next lesson learned from having a Sailor "A" School!!!!

[MA2009Mom]

you are welcome, I want other moms to know you are not alone, these things you are going thru are perfectly normal. :-)

[Cameronsmom]

Wow! Wonderful story and thank you. You have said what I have been feeling and still do. I'm on week 3 (he left for RTC 3 weeks ago today.). My husband doesn't understand why I cry and feel the way I do. Thank you Navy for moms....you are -we all are a great support system for each other. Hooyah ladies!!

[MA2009Mom]

week 3! Almost halfway there! Congrats and Welcome aboard, it's a topsey turvey roller coaster but in the end worth it. You did a fine job and handed over the US Navy a perfect sailor. 

[Cameronsmom]

My hubby just read this and said that he does understand why I cry or feel the way I do, it's just not his way. He said you have a good way with words in what you you wrote. Thank-you. You helped articulate what we Moms feel.

[Neveremptynest]

I thought I cried my tears out already. I said goodbye to my son today. I'm counting the days until PIR. This was beautiful and made me cry all over agaiN. (Ilive 30mins from Great Lakes- I told my son I plan on driving by GL on his 21st birthday with my car decorated). Congratulations to you and your son! Thank you.

[MA2009Mom]

30 minutes from Great Lakes thats fantastic! I'm pretty sure at this point you never get over it, the separation just gets easier to handle. I still miss my son daily (I text him to tell him so!) lol After basic the lines of communication have been wide open although i have to wait til he is done with class (Yes i have my alarm set to his "A" school end of day) :-) "A" school and the ability to talk to him has made me happier, but i will be most happiest when I get to throw my arms around him and hug him again Congrats and Good Luck to your SR! 

[Neveremptynest]

Thank you!  What is your sailor going to A school for?

[Mybigson]

My recruit left for Bootcamp in Great Lakes 3 weeks ago, my eldest of 2 sons, my baby, just turned 22. I thought I had just begun to adjust to him not being here but I had a HUGE meltdown today, all by myself, without the usual support of his little brother or dad... Cried myself to sleep, I'm missing my boy beyond words... All I did was research sites for graduation ideas, viewed some Great Lakes graduation pics, and booked our hotel accommodations, and then it hit me, WHAM! Like a ton of bricks, couldn't stop the tears, they just kept coming, I was inconsolable to the point thatbI did manage to call my husband and couldn't even speak when he answered, the words would not come... Naturally he understands that I will have these many moments, even though he can't completely understand... I'm so thankful for this site! Your story was wonderful to read, it gave so much light and all the little details and questions I had are now so much clearer- Thank you NAVY moms, only you will truly understand what each of us is going through, and only you can relate so well. I'm counting the days until I can see my boy at PIR on December 4th! I know I will be a crying disaster then too, but they will be tears of joy and pride... Thank you all again for the loving support to each other, this is my first post and I hope the 1st of many!

[MA2009Mom]

First let me congratulate you on your SR, and for being the loving caring and supportive mom you are! I highly suggest the Navy Lodge for PIR stay and if they don't have openings Call daily (they always open up) YOU CAN DO THIS! At PIR you will be so happy but still feel a bit contained by the "warden" that is guarding your bleechers. No worries the warden gives way once they call Liberty and It takes little or NO time for you and your now Sailor to find each other, TRUST ME! Those PIR hugs are some of the strongest and best hugs you have ever gotten,

[Mysonnyboy]

Thank you for writing about everything I have felt since my son left on October 19. Just when I think I am all cried out, I got a call from him, two days later, a letter. My family tells me "to stay strong"; it's not that I am weak, it's just that I am a mom. Not hearing from him for days is hard. I am so very PROUD of my son. I am so glad I found N4M. Best wishes to all recruit/sailor moms....our kids are AWESOME!!!

[MA2009Mom]

You are very welcome. I hoped that in writing it that i could let other moms, know that what they wee going thru is perfectly normal and NO YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Congrats on your SR!!! :-D you have every reason in the world to be proud and happy, and sad, and well I'm sue you are somewhat adjusted to this never ending roller coaster. Welcome aboard! 

[Grizzy01]

Thank you for sharing. Our son left onNovember 4th so just impatiently waiting for the box and the letter. Been writing a letter every day just waiting for confirmation where to send them. Stay strong moms- we can make it!!