Last night we dropped our son off at a hotel for his journey to Marine Boot Camp. Friends, this is one of the hardest things we have ever had to do as a family, and it is all I can do to type this and not sob.
We are so proud of our son for enlisting, and for choosing the Marines. Yet our hearts long to hear him run through the house at top speed, hear him banging away on his drums in the garage or sitting next to us at dinner.
He was to be awakened this morning at 3:30 am to go to the processing station then he boards a plane for San Diego where he will be for the next 13 weeks. Sleep was fitful last night and I found myself awake at 3:45 am, thinking about him, praying for him, praying for all of the young men and women who are on the same journey.
We have spent the last weeks together, visiting family, doing fun things, and just hanging around together. Yesterday he and I attended mass together, and it was difficult to stop my tears from flowing. He was given a special blessing by the priest, and was also told that the parish would keep him in their prayers.
And of course we had a nice dinner for him last night,after which the four of us got into the car to take him to the hotel. I didn't want to leave, but eventually we left him there with the other young men who were also leaving today. Another young man was there with his family, and like our family, his sister was crying.
We went over and introduced ourselves and I took a family picture for them. And so now we have a connection to at least one other family from our area whose son is also on the same path as our son.
I hope that you understand that my heart/mind is distracted for the moment, will be ready to post about stamping next week, but right now I am just hoping that we get that quick phone call later today/tonight that the recruits are allowed, basically just "I have arrived" and then they hang up.
Already I have written him a letter, and hope to try to write one each day to remind him that he is strong, that he is loved and that we are proud of him. We won't be able to mail letters to him for about 10 days, or until we get his address (he will be allowed to send it to us on a pre-printed postcard).
And while we have had wonderful weather here for the last month, today is a dreary day, rainy, dark and windy, which is not "lifting" my spirits.
He left flowers and some candy for his girlfriend, our daughter is going to deliver the gifts to her this morning. Our son wanted his girlfriend to have the gifts on Valentine's Day, even if he couldn't be here to give them to her personally.
Enough of my whining, I hope you understand and if you pray, please keep our son (and all the young men and women who are at Boot Camp with him) in your prayers and thoughts.
Thank you for being my "online" friends and support, today that means more then anything to help me get through this difficult time.
Update: I posted so quick this morning that I had to come back to fix some typos...sorry everyone.
Dear Jacquie,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I follow your blog, I rarely post anything. I am sitting here in tears for the difficult time you are in. I will keep your family, especially your son, in my thoughts. When you can, please thank him for his service to the country.
Betsy
Although we miss your post, family time is important. I almost cried reading this post. Letting go of our children is one of the hardest things, but to let them go on a journey that we know is wrought with danger is even harder. Let's hope love and prayers will keep him safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear friends. Today is hard, I just went and tried to color a cat for our son...and had to stop was crying again.
ReplyDeleteI can't keep my mind off of what he is doing, where he is right now and how he is, and also knowing how difficult this will be for him, yet at the same time knowing how this will be good for him and being proud of him.
Your words are comforting today, again, thank you.
Hugs from Canada...the world appreciates the sacrifices our young men make in the battle for freedom. We will pray along with you that he is kept safe and returns to your family.
ReplyDeleteCathy
I catch your e-mail regularly but felt today I could not just peek and leave.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is heavy for you. What a wonderful son you have and I know you are proud but hurting.We are grateful for the people, like him, serving our country. God bless him and your family during this time. Bless all the service people.
I realize this is so hard on you so take your time on posting...we all understand!
Hugs
Yvonne
Jacquie,
ReplyDeleteI also follow your blog but don't always leave a comment. I am sitting here with tears running down my cheeks. I can only imagine how difficult this would be for me. I want you to know I am add your son and your family to my prayer journal. God bless the men and women who serve our country. Hugz to you my friend.
Isn't being a Mom the hardest thing in the world? No one tells us before we have children how difficult it will be to let them go. I am going through an empty nest situation where my husband and I are moving to NC but we are leaving our two sons who are in their twenties here in Canada...it is breaking my heart so I have an idea of what you are going through....hang in there and just continue to pray for him, that is all we can do...I think you have done your job right as a Mom if you have raised a son that wants to serve his country...you should be very proud!
ReplyDeletehugs from canada
Jacquie - Prayers and thoughts for you and your son. Have to confess that for some odd reason I thought you were in England. lol A former San Diegan, I envy you the CA weather, but am at home in MN. Thanks for all your posts; follow the links every time!
ReplyDeleteJacquie, I know how hard this time is for you. Four years ago, we moved our daughter to Alaska, where her husband was stationed in the Army. At the time, he was on his first tour of duty in Iraq, so we helped our daughter move, then had to leave her in a city where she knew no one, 4000 miles from home. It was the hardest thing we've ever done. I won't tell you that you'll ever stop worrying - our son-in-law had two tours of duty in Iraq and we worried through both of them - but I can tell you that time makes it easier. Thinking of you and your family!
ReplyDeleteJacquie - my heart goes out to you, and your family and son will be added to my prayers, along with all the other service men and woman and families.
ReplyDeleteGod be with you all.
Sandra
Jacquie, I sit here crying with you as I read your post. Thank you for raising a wonderful son who will be defending this great country! How proud you must be of him and his journey in life! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I support the military by sending cards to Operation Write Home so soldiers can stay in touch with their families. Big Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteHi Jacquie,
ReplyDeleteAs a Navy wife for 24 years, an Air Force Mom for 18, and an Army MIL for 4 - I understand. The day our son left is still just as heartfelt as it was 18 years ago. I can say that through all the cruises, Iraq and Afghanistan tours the most important thing of all is family support. Through letters and phone calls you will learn of a completely different side of your family member, and grow even closer as a result. For your sons bravery I applaud him, for your mother's heart - I add my prayers for you and your family.
Sandy
Hi Jacquie - Funny thing, I've been thinking about you and wondering where you were. I can totally relate to your situation and feelings. Your family and all the others in the armed services and boot camps are in my prayers. BTW - it was so good to hear someone say "I was too busy to blog and craft". I have been thinking these ladies who blog AND craft have GOT to be some kind of geniuses about managing time!!! So there are some humans among you all, good to know! So give yourself time to adjust and the craving to create will return. Big hugs, Sharon :o)
ReplyDeleteHe will be in my prayers and so will you until he is safe at home once again. Please tell him thank you for serving our great country
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I went through the same 5 years ago when our 89lb./5'1", 18 yr. old daughter entered the Air Force. She definitely had her share of difficulties, but, as they say --- came out much stronger on the other side. We, also, would like to express our appreciation for his service for our country.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much everyone, I am so blessed to have such loving, caring friends with you all.
ReplyDeleteYour words and offers of prayers have made these last few days so much better, so much more doable so to say.
There are just not enough words to let you know how much your comments have helped me through this difficult time.
Bless you all, and thank you again for taking the time to help me through this time.
Will love to you all,
Jacquie
Jacquie, may heart goes out to you. I will also add your son and family to my prayers. We all at some time must realize they are in God's Hands and we really don't have control, though we like to feel we do. It is soooo hard. May God give your heart peace.
ReplyDeleteWe will keep your son in our prayers. Seems like yesterday our
ReplyDeleteoldest left, like your son, for the
Air Force Boot Camp. We heard very
little from him while there, so I know how hard that is for a Mom. Know we care, and lean on the Lord!
God bless, Diane H.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI just discovered your blog. Wonderful. I was a Marine Corps child, married a Marine and then my son joined the Marines. My son leaving for boot camp was on of the hardest things I have ever had to do. So I am truly with you in my thoughts. You will be so very proud on graduation day and the time will go faster than you think. I am sending very large hugs through cyberspace and all the comfort a total stranger who has walked in your shoes can offer. Thank you and thank your son for all of us.
I know the mixed bag of emotions so well. My younger son joined the Marines 6 years ago. And my older son left for Army bootcamp just before Valentine's day in 2010. We never stop being mothers. And I couldn't be more proud of my sons. God bless you and your son.
ReplyDelete-Mary
I Pray your son returns home with new memories to share with you. When my youngest left home a year ago i was left with the empty nest syndrome. I couldnt not mention my son's name without filling up with tears. Its very hard to let go when you feel so much love for your son. There is obviously a lot of love between you, try to smile in between the tears because you have a son to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky my youngest is in no danger but i still cry when he leaves. But i am sure you and your family will get through these challenges of life together stronger at the end of it all. Time will make it easier.
But in the meantime god bless you and your family and may the lord keep your son safe.
hugs julie