Hi there!  Just wondering did you get the addy / directions to the Massachusetts Navy Moms' luncheon at Johanna's on 8/31? Leave a comment on the page for Johanna & send her a friend request. She will send you her addy and directions.  If you don't hear from her, get back to me and I'll be sure you get it!  Can't wait to meet you IRL.  We are going to have soo much fun.  Don't forget to bring along your bathing suit, a towel & picture of your sailor. Johanna is providing the main course, we are all bringing the salads &desserts.

Hi Navymassmomship etc,

Welcome to Heads at Ease!  We are happy to have you join us.  I am the proud mom of a Navy vet, who served 5 years.

Did you attend PIR?  If so, did you get in the line of traffic on the way in or were you there way early enough to not experience the train of cars waiting?  Thanks for the friend request. I don't spend too much time on here, but like the idea of being connected as my sailor's journey continues.

Hi, It's me again! You have been approved for "MAS We Ship Love." Now you have access to the addresses. We do it this way to provide a little security for our contact people!

Welcome to Molly's Adopt A Sailor! For more information on what we do, go to Molly's group page and on the right side, click on "New Moms Read First." If you have questions or need help, please do not hesitate to send me a message.

You can also find information about our Sept. group in the "Discussion Forum" at the top of the Molly's page. We are shipping to them today through Friday. Our new adoption will be announced on Oct. 1.

Thanks for joining us. Pat

R3ramos, This is very tough for everyone involved. Even family members. I still have days where I cry when I think of my son, and other days I'm fine. As far as the SRs, I think that your son probably isn't the only one who is homesick. I think they are all going feeling much the same. I know that my son's first letters home were horrible! I cried while reading them. But by the time he called last week, he said that  things were a little better. However, I think he still sounded a little sad too. I believe it will just take them some time to adjust. They are having to grow up really, really fast. In eight weeks! I realized today that they are almost halfway through!! And I think that they have made it this far, surely they will finish out and get through to graduation. I hate it for my son that this has been such a shock to his system, but I believe it is a really great thing they are doing and in the end it will all work out for the best. Next time we see them, they will be so much more mature than when we saw them last. Just keep writing those positive notes and letters and infuse them with all the love, encouragement and pride you can! They are on their way to being U.S. Sailors!! I'm proud of them all!!! 

I am sooo sorry!  I have to admit this is the hardest time.  So many adjustments for your SR and your family.  Try to hang in there.  Remember the old saying "This too shall pass!"   It is true.  When our son went, he didn't want mail, didn't want us to travel to his PIR.  Kept saying he was a grown man, an NYPD police officer, blah, blah, blah.  Later he admitted that even tho he was older than most recruits, he wished he hadn't tried to be so gung-ho, bravo!  I thought that was a very telling sign as to how hard BC was/is.

He'd gone thru NYPD's Police Academy and found that very, very tough.  But it was something else to be sent away from contact with family.

If you think it might help encourage him, send me a PM with his addy.  I'd love to send him a note or card.  Let me know how you think it might be received.  Your son will soon discover his Mom has tapped into a great support system in N4M!!  My son didn't tell me about this group, I saw a commercial about it and signed up right away.

In the meantime, YOU take care of yourself.  You'll need to draw on your strength and the strength of your sisters here in N4M to help him, your family & yourself navigate thru this difficult time.  And, remember, I'm here for you - anytime!  <3

We had a MARVELOUS time!!  I hope that you will be able to come next time.  Another party is already in the works.  Last yr. UMass/Lowell cheerleaders wanted to do a packing party.  The Moms came to help them learn to pack boxes for shipment and we provided the snacks for them. It was held in one of the buildings on the Lowell campus.  Easy to get to.  They want to do another so a date is being planned even as I type this.  Will let you know date & details when I hear.  It will also be posted in the Massachusetts Navy Mom group.  Will be posting pics there from Sat. asap - meaning later today or tomorrow!