I'm in a bit of shock this morning as my older son just received the unexpected word that he's shipping off to USMC boot camp TOMORROW! He was expecting a ship date of April 2011!
We have a million and one things to tie up today, and tomorrow we'll be watching him swear in before he leaves. I'm sure I'll go through an entire box of tissues between now and then. I've already bawled my eyes out at least three times in the last hour.
I'm so very proud of him, but quite sad that he's really leaving the nest. I thought we had a bit more time. Oh … there go those tears again.
Oh - I feel for you, and I'm so proud of both of you - him for wanting to go and you for supporting him. :) g
ReplyDeleteI'm crying tears of joy and worry for you. It's so hard when they fly the coop on us, even though they must. Is he going to Camp Pendleton? At least it will be getting cooler there in a couple of weeks (not that heat should bother a Florida boy).
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Debbie! For what it's worth a guy in my Toastmaster's club is an ex-Marine and just the nicest guy in the world.
ReplyDeleteHe often speaks of those years as the most exciting of his life -- and he has three girls!
My heart goes out to you Debbie. Tell your son thank you for his service to our country.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you. Your first to leave the nest and going into the service in these uncertain times. All the luck in the world to him.
ReplyDeleteOh Debbie. {{hugs}} I'm sorry this is all happening so much faster than you had originally thought. Your son will be in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, you have me crying too! Thinking of you and your family!
ReplyDeleteMind if I cry with you? I'll be praying for you both.
ReplyDeleteI don't comment often, but God Bless your family. Let him know we all will be praying for him. Thank him for his service.
ReplyDeleteOh my. From April to August. Hang in there and use as many tissues as you need. I'm thankful for young men like him, very thankful!
ReplyDeleteOh my, Debbie, what a shock/surprise. My stomach dropped reading the words, I can't imagine all your emotions. Use all the tissues you need. Tell him good luck and thank you for serving and protecting our country.
ReplyDeleteBoth my brother and his son were Marines. I have a special place in my heart for all Marines...your son now has his place in my heart too! He may be a boy now but expect him to come back as a man.
ReplyDeleteMy gosh! I don't even know you personally and I teared up when i read this. Thanking your son in advance for his service and commending him for making such a brave commitment!
ReplyDeleteAnd hugs hugs hugs to you, Mom!
Thinking of you!! {{HUG}} Here's another box of tissues.....
ReplyDeleteIt is very hard I know. 30+ yrs ago my mom went through the same thing...with me. I'm still serving and wouldn't change a thing today :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best to your son...and you ;)
I know just how you feel! I went through it 25 years ago. Just cry as much as you want to. Be proud of your man.
ReplyDeleteSo sad as our kids march out into the world, especially when it is into the service at such uncertain times. My oldest son went in the service several years ago. He likes to remind me that he wouldn't want it any other way. So, I keep telling myself that everything is how it should be; somehow that helps. I will pray for him and your family.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that I wasn't totally prepared for was the change from a boy to the ultimate man. No matter how many people talk about it or you expect it, it is still such a surprise/shock. But, over time you will see glimpses that your boy is still underneath all that polish. And it will make you smile!! When he comes home we go for walks, just the two of us. My little boy and me. Glorious!!
By the way, don't send food to boot camp until you get the okay from your son. Sometimes it is okay and sometimes it really, really isn't!!!
Take care!
Oh, Debbie! I'm so sorry this is SO soon! Please thank him for his service, and thank you for raising a child that will do this for the rest of us. We'll all be thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm hugging you right now!
ReplyDeletePrayers for his safety and your endurance. Please thank him for his service for our country.
ReplyDeleteDebbie please know that I will keep both of you in my prayers. I hope your heart doesn't break too much.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought MY job sprung things on me last minute! Wow! Good luck to him- and you.
ReplyDeleteThis is so huge, I can only imagine. Thanks to you for raising such a son and thanks to him for being willing to defend the country. Best of luck to him at boot camp.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you son and keep him safe. You must be so proud, yet so emotional.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you, Debbie. The suddenness of his departure makes his leaving so much harder. I've always been in awe of anyone who goes through Marine boot camp. No doubt he'll go from boy to man during that experience. You should be super proud of him. I wish him well.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - my heart goes out to you. Been there, done that, all during my youth. My father is retired USMC E-9. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteDebbie, Parris Island has a helpful web site for families that want to attend basic training graduation:
ReplyDeletehttp://usmcgradparrisisland.org/
Once a Marine, always a Marine
Hey Debbie, heard about you from Peter and wanted to send you a hug. My son was in the army...went to infantry book camp the day before my birthday in 2002 and then off to two deployments. Whenever I hear a certain song about being willing to "walk a thousand miles just to see you" it brings me right back to his time in boot camp.
ReplyDeleteTake it one day, one second at a time. Picture him in your minds eye on graduation day and you wrapping your loving arms around him. Your heart will swell with a pride that will be uncontainable. I promise you this.
I wrote a note or letter to him EVERY day while he was in boot camp. It kept me focused. I also found great comfort in meeting a group of on-line army-moms (there is a sight for marine-moms too) who I still have contact with today.
I send you blessings and hugs and you can contact me anytime if you need a shoulder to cry on. I get it! I really do!
Lisa
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of you and your family this day! Please take care!
Rose in SV
Debbie, I feel for you; a shock that came as you "prepared" to let go. The feelings a mother must feel for her child, what else to do but cry. thinking of you, as there will be tears of pride; later, as you travel this path with your son.
ReplyDeletechloeE
Ah, Debbie. You and your son are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteOh, Debbie. I almost never comment but have been visiting for years... I have a son and can't imagine him leaving his momma. But, he's only 3, lol. Seriously, though - hang in there. Youll be a mess I imagine but you'll survive.
ReplyDeleteMy entire family thanks him for his service.
Barbara
Your son will make the best most-loyal friends he will ever have in the coming weeks. I wish him all the best for his training, and send best wishes and hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and your son. Crying always helps and so does a nice bubble bath to cry in. Best of luck on boot camp to your son.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your son Debbie.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of you both.
Mermie
I'm thinking about you and your son today - hugs to both of you!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteHang in there. I cannot imagine the roller coaster this must be for you, your son and your family.
Thank you and thank you to your son for his service.
Semper Fi to You! What a proud Marine Mom you will be. There's no finer that a Marine. Just biased because my husband was a Marine too!! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Give your son a hug from me thanking him for his dedication and service to our country. It means a whole lot. There are a whole lot of programs that you can get involved in to support other great service men and women. I like Soldiers Angels (dot) org.
ReplyDeleteStacey