My DS left for the Army yesterday...Update 7/26

RNMOM

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 29, 1999
Messages
4,209
That was one of the hardest days of my life. I was a mess all day. He had been really nasty a lot lately and DH and I were fed up so we thought it wouldn;t be too bad. We were wrong. Monday night I wrote him a long letter when at work about how I felt and he woke me up Tues. am to talk. He told me I was a good mom. That meant a lot to me.

He left to be with his friends for dinner and then to go to the recruiter's office by 7pm. At 6:30 DH and I decided to be there too even though he did not ask us. It was the best decision we could have made. It helped a lot to just stand around and clown around with the kids. The recruiter was picking up another new soldier and was almost an hour late.

DS let his friends cut off his ponytail. He looked so good without the long hair but the haircut left something to be desired. We got photos and will send them to him when we get his address. He was visibly nervous but would not admit it. That last hug was the hardest. I think I had my first panic attack last night.

I got so little sleep on Tues. that I went to bed at 11pm and slept till 1pm. I feel much better today and know he is on the right path.

He knows we love him and we know he loves us too. He spent some time in the afternoon holding me when I cried. First time for everything. Now I have the job of packing up his things for storage. He wants his brother to have his room and some of his stuff.

I am now the proud mom of an Army Private.

**Update: We got a 2 minute collect call from him this afternoon. He says he is okay but does not want to be there. I asked if he wanted to come home and he said, "No, just don't want to be here." :confused: :rolleyes:

He sounded good and said the food was okay. It was nice to hear his voice and I just wish DH had been home too. He won't graduate till mid to late November as his individual job training follows immediately after boot camp. He is training to be a Cavalry Scout. He wants to drive those Humvees. They will graduate after all is done. He is stationed at Fort Knox. We live in Northeast Ohio so it is pretty close for us. I am doing so much better now. I still haven't gone into his bedroom yet though, need a couple more days. Thanks for all your kindness and good thoughts. It really helps.
 
Go Ad-Free on DISboards
No Google ads. Support the community.
$4.99/month
$49.95/year
Go Ad-Free →

Aw, this must have so incredible hard. You must be so proud though. {{{{Hugs}}}}
 
I know this has got to be a hard time for you. I'm glad you guys had time to really talk to each other before he had to leave.
 
Aww, {{{Hugs}}} Mom, I know what you are going threw. My boy left almost 10 months ago. He was nasty to me alot before he left too. I think he had to so he could leave. Its hard when our babies grow up. I couldn't pack his room, DH had to do it.
When he finished basic training, he called me and said he wouldn't be home for christmas because he finished 2 weeks before christmas. I was crushed! I cried so much. My DD and I went shopping at the mall and there was a stand there where you write to the troops, and I totally lost it, right there. It was so hard.
So christmas day arrives, the girls, DH and DBIL where at my house opening presents, and I just put on my plastic smile and tried to be happy. Oldest DD knew the agony I was in. Well, I invited my sons girlfriend to come over and after she closed the door, I heard a tap. I asked her if someone was with her, and she just gave me the silliest look, and santa walked in! I was really confused because my girls dont believe in santa, and it really never occured to me it would be that brat boy of mine! When he pulled off the beard, I guess I screamed, and I cried so hard and held him for dear life. He had changed so much. He looked like a real life grown up.
I still have days when I see a kid that looks like mine, and I do a double take. And of course I cry. (That just what I am good at) It does get easier, mom. You'll have good days and bad. I'm here if you want to talk and there are quite a few others here that know what you are going threw. You are in good company.

Ps; send me the photo of your son and I'll make a siggy for you.:)
 
Thanks to you all. It means a lot to be able to come here...DH is not able to talk just yet. He said today it was harder for him than he thought it would be. He is a very quiet, private kind of person but is still demonstrative when the time comes.

DS should be home just before or just after Thanksgiving. He can be here for 14-30 days according to the recruiter and then will ship out for Germany. I am pretty sure he will go to the Middle East at some point but they assure us not now. Time will tell. So, we may see him over one or the other holiday if we are lucky. I just want him to stay safe and healthy.

Everyone I know says how much Boot Camp changes these young people for the good. I guess I have to trust they know what they are doing.

Thanks again.

Cordia
 
{{HUGS}} Your posts brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine how difficult this is right now. Please keep us updated when you hear from him (I know it'll be awhile) and how your are doing. :D
 
What amazing young men your sons are. With so much unrest in the world, they're willing to volunteer to keep our country safe.

When I'm having a pity party over my son's moving 12 hours away to start his career, I'll think of you and know how very fortunate I am.

{{{HUGS}}} No matter that they're 6 feet tall, we still see that little boy who's sweet smile brought us such joy. :D
 
It made me cry too. {{{{hugs}}}} Great young men you have there. :D
 
{{hugs}} I am sure that letting go is very difficult but I hope that you will take some comfort (and be very proud) of the fact that your son is choosing a very honorable path for himself.

God Bless our military men and women!
 
A BiG {GROUP HUG} to all who have had to let their children go.
We do raise them to become mature individuals, but it sure isn't easy for us parents.
 
I second what LynnSC so eloquently stated!

I will pray for all of you - I am sure the next couple of weeks will be very hard for you and your DH as you miss your son will he completes his basic training.
 
Blessings to you and your serviceman :) Tell him thank you!
 
I can't imagine how difficult this must be. But you're right, you can be a proud mom of an Army Private, and know that there are millions of Americans that are thanking him for his service.:D
 
I went to Ft. Sill last week, to watch my nephew graduate from Basic Training. I can most definitely attest to the fact that it does change them for the good. He caused DH, his parents and me alot of angst (spelling?) before he left. He has completely change. I was so darn proud of him. Gone is the attitude that I can do what I want, no matter what and the attitude of taking any responsibility for his actions. He has most definitely become a man. He admitted to my father that he needed some structure in his life. He didn't get that at home from his parents. Where is your son attending basic training?

Originally posted by RNMOM

Everyone I know says how much Boot Camp changes these young people for the good. I guess I have to trust they know what they are doing.
Cordia
 
Hugs for you RNMom and all the other service-mom's! I can't even imagine letting my kids go let alone to the service. God bless you!
 
I've been where you are - 4 1/2 years ago. Our son left on a cold and snowy morning in early January for the sun and warmth of southern California....and Marine Corp Boot Camp. I thought that it was the longest 3 months of my life - but this past January he left again - for 6 months this time, and the destination was Iraq.

I know that you're scared, but I also know that you're extremely proud. Whatever you do, DON'T miss his graduation. He'll make you very proud, mom!!!! ;)
 

New Posts


Disney Vacation Planning. Free. Done for You.
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts. Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.
Start Your Disney Vacation
Disney EarMarked Producer






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter

Add as a preferred source on Google

Back
Top Bottom