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've got this! Congrats on your SR!!!! 

[Heather]

Thank you! This helps :-) Mine is 3 weeks in, we have had a letter but no call, possibly a missed one yesterday and we are heart broken. I haven't made reservations yet...just afraid something will come up and he won't have that date or worse doesn't stay.I was wondering do you know if some have leave before A school and come home? Do they fly with us if they do have leave? Our son goes to A school in Florida. Thanks for any info. I can keep digging and be patient. Any recommendations on a airline? Any offer specials for grad families?

[lemonelephant]

Heather, Make your reservations NOW. There is no better encouragement than to know that your loved ones have so much faith in you to make it through that they have made plans to be there. No, your then Sailor will not have Leave until after "A" School so, no, he will not be able to fly with you.  I will leave more info on your My Page on how to plan your weekend and more. There are some hotels in the GL area that have special rates for those booking for PIR. ask when you make reservations.