thank you, heroes

so proud

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bittersweet

A year ago my son was a high school senior

who was talking to a US Navy recruiter.

Today he is a a Sailor with three red stripes

on his sleeve, stationed at

Naval Nuclear Training Command

in Goose Creek, S.C. 

He begins classes later this month, 

the start of a long trek toward becoming

a Machinist Mate-Nuclear Field. 

PIR (boot camp graduation) was amazing.

Our short time with our son was an emotional

roller coaster. I don't like roller coasters.

I thought my first post after PIR would be 

a song of joy, a celebration of pride.

And I feel those things, I assure you,

but in all honesty, I am bereft.

Boot camp had a beginning and an end.

But this, ah this... this is our new reality.

Our son is a Sailor. He chose to serve

and he is gone and he is grown.

He is not in college or at a regular job. 

Nothing or no one comes before 

his commitment to the Navy.

I trust that this new reality will lose some of its

sharp barbs in time, that this ache will ease.

I am grateful for easier communication 

with my Sailor now, happy to know

he is safe and moving toward his goals.

I am trying to concentrate on these things

and thinking of Christmas, hoping 

he has leave.

~♥~

My son is a SAILOR!

At last! 

JOY!

HAPPY,HAPPY DAY! 

We leave for Chicago in the morning!

I am so proud of my sweet Sailor son! 

Millions of photos and details

to come. 

~♥~

the power of a smile

The shortest distance between two people is a smile.  

~Author Unknown

My sweet son is in his last days at RTC . He graduates  next week! 

His division's finals days will be filled with challenges~

final PFAs, inspections, drills, Captain's Cup

and Battle Stations. 

We received a short phone call on Monday~ a reward for a perfect

score on an inspection. My son sounded great, a bit weary, 

but upbeat and ready to wrap this thing up! 

On Tuesday, we got the best gift ever! 

Recruit Training Command's FaceBook page

 has two contests weekly. One of our division moms 

WON Tuesday's trivia game (no small feat, as there

 are MANY parents, spouses, etc playing). 

The prize~ A DIVISION PHOTO!!

So, with no further ado~ I  present 

Ship 7 USS CHICAGO Division 327

83 strong and lookin' good in their NWUs!!! 

 A photo from boot camp is a treasure!!! Winning the contest
is the only way to get a photo from boot camp.
It is just amazing to have this peek 

at the division! And best of all... look at those GRINS!!!!
They were told what the photo was for! They know their moms,
 dads, wives, girlfriends, etc will

see this photo. I love their beautiful smiles!
 LOVE THEM!

This photograph is a treasure. 

And where is my SR?
He is on the very top of the heap~ top upper right,

CLIMBING (oh, how he loves to climb) on something

and rocking the best smile ever!!

That's my boy! 

Note his collar device~ He is a Recruit Petty Office.

~Port Watch Section Leader~ 

That smile is a beautiful sight.

See you soon, son! 

~♥~

almost there...

It is rather surreal to think that in 2 weeks and 2 days 

we will be Great Lakes bound!

My son graduates from boot camp on 9/30/11~ the last group

to graduate in dress whites until next spring.

My son is in a push division which means his time 

in boot camp is 7 weeks, not the more standard 8 weeks.

So, we will see him soon! 

The past 5 weeks has, at times, seemed endless.

Our contact with our son has been minimal...

the form letter, the 'kid in a box", 3 real letters

and ONE and only ONE PHONE call (2 weeks ago).

That is not much, but it does get you through. 

I am also part of a FaceBook group for his division 

and that is a great resource. I have made some wonderful

new friends. The Navy community is pretty amazing!

By sharing info from our letters

and calls, we can piece together a pretty good glimpse 

of how things are going. All of the communication

from my son has been positive. 

He is a Recruit Petty Officer  ~Port Watch Section Leader.

He says that being in leadership is one

of the best things about his boot camp experience.

Many in the division have been ill, which is typical.

I assume it is a combination of bringing lots of people together 

from all over the country, mental and physical stress

and extreme fatigue that makes the recruits vulnerable

to the "Ricky Crud" and other contagious maladies. 

My son had the crud when he called AND pink eye 

AND 4 wisdom teeth had been pulled. This is my 

"never sick" kid... but he did not complain and I am assuming

he is well by now. Nowhere is the adage "no news

is good news" more applicable than boot camp.

Hopefully the entire division is better now.

The last few weeks are certainly hard, but at this point the divisions

should be working together and the training is more...

fun?? Is that the word? Well, more hands-on anyway.

They should be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

I see my own little light, too. In a short time

I will see my son~ briefly. He will depart for A School

in South Carolina the day after PIR. And then the real journey

begins. His schooling is long (2 years) and then out to the fleet

for 4 years and them some commitment to reserves... .

it just goes on and on. My son will not be home for most holidays.

He belongs to the U.S.Navy now... for real, and that 

is the hard part, the "my heart is bursting with pride" part,

the real letting go. 

I am learning my lessons and the first one

may be this~Make the best of the time you have. 

~not a bad approach to life in general, that "glass

half full" thing. I believe in that, try to live like that.

Gratitude is always the best choice.

For now, I am focused on our trip to RTC  in

a little over 2 weeks, to that moment when the new sailors 

enter the graduation hall...

For now that is enough.

~♥~

best day(s) ♥

How wonderful is is to have some communication from my son

in boot camp!!! We have now gotten TWO real 

letters and a glorious, long phone call!!!!

My son is doing very well and has the honor

of holding a Recruit Petty Officer position! 

He is the Port Watch Section Leader. 

He sounds great in his letters and on the phone.

In spite of having a cold (known as the Ricky Crud),

pink-eye and having all 4 wisdom teeth pulled,

he is upbeat and determined! 

He had his birthday in boot camp and spent

his first hours of being 19 standing watch and toting

a 9mm pistol. He is making friends

and says his RDCs are "smart, good people"

beneath "the show they put on". 

I am so grateful for his positive attitude! 

Our trip is booked now and in 4 weeks 

we will be at our son's PIR.

That will be another 'best day".

~♥~

I ♥ the mail carrier!

What a wonderful thing is the mail,

 capable of conveying across continents 

a warm human hand-clasp.  

~Author Unknown

The Navy teaches you things, lots of things~ 

like an appreciation for the U.S. Postal Service. 

In these days of instant communication, the thought of waiting

for a letter seems rather quaint, but when a loved-one

is in boot camp, letters become golden.

So far I've gotten two~ the form letter

and a nice 3 page letter last Friday.

It was so good to "hear" my son's "voice",

to see his new "military handwriting".

He is doing well and says parts of boot camp

are FUN!! And some parts suck.
He has made some friends and is learning
to deal with sleep deprivation.
He misses us.

Today he started his 4th week and graduation

on 9/30 doesn't seem so far away anymore! 

I am so proud of him. He is working hard

to become a Sailor, but...

he is still my boy, my sweet son who remembers

that his mom likes to know where her babies sleep.

So, this made my day. 

~♥~

waiting game...

A week ago I got my son's form letter from boot camp. I was delighted to read the lines he wrote...

He's okay! Likes the food! Misses his girlfriend and dog 

and still has his sense of humor!! 

Best of all the first line~ "I'm doing good."

Oh, joy!!! My mother-heart was filled with gratitude! 

Now a week has passed... a long, quiet week. Today my SR started

week three of boot camp. Hopefully his division is working together. 

This is how they earn phone calls and the privilege to write 

and receive letters (of which he should have a lot waiting for him!). 

In the Navy, no news is good news. I know better than to expect 

any communication this soon. It will be at least 3 weeks... 

no sooner. 

So, I am in the doldrums... the still, quiet time of waiting. 

I am staying busy and thinking the best.

I hope and pray that my son's division is smart and strong.

I hope I hear his voice soon... or open my mailbox

to a sweet surprise. I hope my son has made some friends

and is learning and feels he has made the right decision.

Mostly I  hope that he knows he is loved and supported.

Press on, son. Press on. 

~♥~

signed, sealed and delivered...

No, I was not as sad as I look in this photo, I promise!!

Yesterday was the big day. My son did his final swearing-in

and boarded the plane to Great Lakes. 

He was able to text me and even called from the airport.

And then at 12:32 I got "the 3 second" call.

He sounded strong, wide-awake (I'll bet!) 

and the teeniest bit nervous. I said a few encouraging words

and told him we love him and that was that.

Mostly I am relieved that he is there safe and sound.

I know he can handle boot camp. 

Yes, I miss him terribly, but I am refusing to give over

to sorrow when there is so much to be grateful for! 

This is what he wants to do! Qualifying for Nuke School

is an accomplishment in itself. I am so happy for him 

and I have confidence in the US Navy. 

This is what they do~ they take boys and girls

and make them men and women and United States Sailors.

It is an honor and privilege to serve.

Today begins the wait for "the box" containing

his clothes, the form letter where we can write him

and the next call (in 3 weeks hopefully) and the first letter.

If he can do boot camp, I can do Navy mom!

Having the support of  loving family and friends,

the amazing US Navy family and a strong faith

comforts me and reminds me to focus on the good.

So~ I give the Navy my precious son with confidence

and gratitude and a fervent prayer that these 

8 weeks go swiftly and without complications. 

HOOYAH! Go Navy! 

~♥~

3 days...

Look at  that smile! That's my sailor-to-be at the helm

of a cruise ship way back in the day. 

Actually, wasn't that yesterday?

He leaves for his recruiter's office Sunday afternoon

then on to Great Lakes for boot camp.

He is 18.

I tell you, there is no way  to explain this letting go.

The military is not like college. It is grown-up stuff

 and there is little margin for error. 

I think of this sweet boy and how quickly

he must become a man and my 

mother-heart aches. 

But this is an opportunity for him to shine,

to meet the world head-on and 

get busy with the business of life.

I will let him go in a few days. I will fold my sorrow

like a secret and slip it deep in a pocket.

This is what a mother does

and strives to do so with grace. 

Godspeed son. 

I love you.

~♥~

up, up and away...

At this time next week my son will be at MEPS

doing his final swearing-in. We will send him off

with love, prayers and encouragement! 

Today I am mostly excited, ready for his

great adventure to begin! 

I keep thinking about how important it is 

to have the right attitude. I want my son to go

forth with confidence and determination. 

I can ask no less of myself! I want to focus

on the positive and radiate peace as I support

my son and learn to navigate my new life

with a less full nest. It's all good.

~♥~

tick tock~tick tock

So, now we are down to 11 days until our son ships out... 

which is actually 10 days because he has to be at the recruiting

office at 3:00 the day before, then on to a hotel for the night.

We can take him out for dinner that night as long as we stay 

very close by (preferably in the hotel) and have him in 

his room by 10:00pm.We will go to MEPS  the next

day to see him do the final swearing-in 

(the "no turning back, you're in the Navy now" one) 

and  then say good-bye. Some parents go to the airport and

 hang out, but unless our son requests this, I think I'll pass. 

I can only take so many farewells.

Things seem surreal. It is hard for me to imagine him gone,

despite the 10 months we have known this date.

I am very excited, proud and grateful for this opportunity

for my son, but it is bittersweet. 

I don't even know what to do these last days.

He seems quiet and a bit withdrawn. I know this 

is not unusual and is part of the separation process.

I have the business of organizing an "Anchors Aweigh"

 party to distract me. Then come the good-byes 

and the long wait for communication from boot camp.

What a ride this has been...

and it has barely begun! 

19 days and counting...

I'm not sure how we got here, but my son leaves

 for boot camp in 19 days.

It seems like yesterday that we were counting months

and now it is just over 2 weeks! .

I am staying busy, trying not to obsess, but it is tough-

and he's still here! 

My son is getting ready. Yesterday he went through

a lot of stuff in his room. He cleaned up his desk top

computer since he now has an amazing lap top

to take to Charleston. The ball is rolling

and gathering speed. His new life is so close.

I am so excited for him, but scared, too.

How will he feel in Great Lakes,

 so far from home,

among strangers and under duress?

 I have confidence in him, but still, a mother

 does not like to know 

that her child will be in distress, tired and homesick.

I KNOW he will do fine. I understand the method.

These young people have to be able to withstand pressure

and still perform their tasks. 

So, it is nearly time for my son to say good bye

and face his future.
19 days.

~♥~

28 days...

I live a blessed life. I have a a husband who is actually Superman

 (shhh! that's top secret), four children that amaze me every day, 

wonderful friends, a pretty home and the privilege

of time and space to pursue my artistic dreams. 

My heart sings a constant hymn of gratitude.

My oldest son is married to a sweet, lovely gal that we adore.

 He works for Frito-Lay and loves his job. They live close by

 which makes me so happy. My only daughter is a college student

 and a very talented artist. She is finding her way at her 

own pace (translation~ taking forever to get through school). 

She is a sweet, sweet young lady with a heart of gold.

My future sailor is an interesting kid~ very hard working, 

smart, driven. He knows everything, as do all 18 year olds.

 Beneath his bravado he has a tender heart and loves to help people.

And my "baby" is going into 9th grade. He is also very talented in art. 

He is very kind and brave.

I love them all beyond measure.

And in 28 days I will say goodbye to one of them. 

And it is goodbye~ goodbye to his childhood.

Unlike the more gradual transition to adulthood that most
 young people make,  the military life is a crash course
 in growing up. I know when my son leaves

 on August 8th, no matter what, he will be changed
when I see him again. I am excited for him
and proud of his choice. But part of me will mourn the loss
of his childhood, of his carefree life. 

I see it already~
 the realization of the seriousness of this endeavor. 

Next month at this time he will be in Great Lakes
being challenged  and molded into a Sailor in the world's greatest navy.
If he can do that, then I can do my part.
I can choose to dwell in gratitude

 for this opportunity, for all my sweet children, for this life that 

blossoms like the most tender rose. 

the choice to serve

Having a child make the decision to serve their country 

can really make a parent think. 

While many people regard the choice to enlist in military service

as a fall back for young people that have few options, 

nothing is further from the truth. Today's Navy is over-manned-

due to downsizing and the current economic climate in our country.

Most recruits (after passing extensive testing) will encounter a long

wait until their field has an opening. 

My son enlisted in November, graduated last month

and departs in August. He qualified for one of the few under-manned 

rates- nuclear field (only about 3% of the Navy). 

It is not easy to enlist and even before recruits leave for 

boot camp they begin learning the Navy way. My son is

in the Navy's Delayed Entry Program (DEP) and attends

meetings and is in regular, close contact with his recruiters. 

He is expected to learn material, practice drills and keep his 

nose clean until his departure. 

Young people who choose to enter military service and 

are able to qualify are privileged to serve and we, 

as US citizens,are also privileged to have them

 looking after us in a dangerous, complex world. 

The next time you hear of a young person making this commitment,

don't assume they had no other options. 

Instead, understand that they are embarking on a noble,

challenging endeavor to benefit not only themselves,

but also the greater good of our nation and the world.

Know that they are among a select group of young men 

and women that qualify and choose to live an uncommon life

of self- sacrifice and courage.

~♥~

this boy...

This boy is enjoying his last days of childhood.

He mows lawns and sings in church choir.

He plays X-box and hangs out with his girl.

He teases his little brother

and tells me he loves me.

I can not imagine being 18 years old and making such

a major decision. He has signed up

for 6 years of military service. Six years

is a long time no matter how you slice it, but at 18

it is HUGE! 

I admire his courage, his willingness to leap

forward into real life. 

And I hope he will be happy with his choice.

I hope he will appreciate the amazing opportunity

he has to learn and do meaningful work.

This boy~ he makes me proud.

~♥~

with open hands...

Every day I receive gifts. The world offers such beauty, 

so much opportunity, so many choices.

I am learning, through this journey, how very much our choices

 and our attitudes define us. 

I am striving, every day, to open my eyes, my hands, my heart. 

I am choosing to be grateful for the gift of letting go. 

My son will soon spread his wings against the wide, wild sky.

 His life will unfurl before him. And I will know that we have loved him well, 

that he has been raised to be honorable, caring and brave. 

He will take his own path out into the world, but our love

 will follow him, buffet him against storms and trials, 

remind him that we are here, a heartbeat away,
always lifting him upward and onward.  

~♥~