Counting the Days in a Daze

We all are,  every family & friend of C Co.  We're counting down to graduation, planning what to wear, how to get there, where to stay.  Some of us will be connecting in person for the first time and can't wait to actually meet the others who have helped US make it through basic training.  Then there's the "little" matter of everyone passing all the tests so that they CAN graduate.  For my son, it's down to the running, which is his weakest area.  Something about the biggest and oldest soldier making through this hurdle.  I know he can do it.  He's very determined.  I won't think about what it will mean to our graduation trip if he doesn't!!!

Yes,  we're in a daze,  especially David's wife & kids, who will be relocating, leaving the hometown they grew up in,  working with the Army's moving crew.  Deciding how to downsize after 30 years in the same house,  wow!   Lots of stuff to deal with--to take the piano or not, what to do with the boxes and boxes of material,  which toys to take,  what to do with all the books.  Thank goodness Grannie Diane will be heading out with them.  That's even bigger for her--selling the house, what a huge & supportive decision that was. 

And a whole new state to get familiar with--new foods, new accents, new customs, new driving laws, new school systems.  Plus living on base will be totally new.  Talk about a different culture!  My grandkids will now be Army brats!   There's something to think about!  All the places they'll see and the friends they'll make.  I sound like Dr. Seuss. Do You Like Green Eggs & Ham?  

First Night in AIT

Finally my question has been answered, Yes, YES, YES!  My son did indeed finish basic, went through Rights of Passage(Rites of Passage?) and is now in AIT.  Proof is in the pictures,  several of them.  And if that communication cord on his left shoulder means anything,  he must have done a good job.  I suspect that might mean he is a squadron leader, but time will tell.  He certainly exhibited the serious demeanor that the position should present.  He looks much more mature and in better physical condition than when he went in and in one photo seemed to be checking on those around him,  maybe  those in his squad.

It seemed to be a long barracks with many doors.  I don't know how many in each room but I hope he is bunking with buddies to be counted on.  I know that there were some in the initial platoon that seemed to mess up a lot, of course, compared to him they were mere kids. Either they've straightened up or perhaps have been recycled.  I saw at least two on crutches; so glad they've made it through and they must be getting stronger. Some I recognized from their family's postings on facebook.  It was good to put a face to a name of someone who has helped me learn the ropes, the phrases, the acronyms, which seem endless.

I can only hope my daughter-in-law will find the time and interest to learn about his and their upcoming life as I have.  The Army has been very supportive of them, with their challenges and trials.  I have found that Ft. Benning looks to be the best posting for his first posting.  I am amazed at the info on their site and the support provided on facebook as well.  My grandchildren, their parents and their other grandmother will thrive there, I believe.

Rites of Passage, for both of us

Just saw the photos posted for David's company's Rites of Passage.  Few and dark as they were, they were so moving, especially now that I know what they signify to SITs.  Still a little nervous that he will be finishing basic and actually becoming a soldier after reading about others being sent home for various reasons.  I'm thrilled that he hasn't been injured in his training after seeing pix where SITs were on crutches. Probably nervous just because we haven't heard from him in almost two weeks.  No real indication that there is any problem--just no indication of anything.  His being one of the oldest to go through this hopefully will result in a tougher, more determined attitude on his part.

Thing is,  his family at home has been going through hell and that has to affect his focus.  His sargeant even had him call home because of it.  That, to me,  really made me feel proud of the Army--for being so connected and concerned.  It seems like the Army has found in my son something they value,  want to foster and to nourish.  I know they certainly have put his computer skills to good use.  Seems like he gets out of a lot of grunt work and smokings because they have him going around the base working on computers.  That's got to increase David's self confidence, which is a huge thing after having been unemployed for over a year. Maybe that degree in computing will be in the mix, after all.

The Army has also been amazing in selecting his next posting because of the medical support needed for his family.  It's been really gratifying to read of the facilities and services at Ft. Benning.  I feel very confident that Becca will get the help she will need when an episode occurs.  They also have a good selection of schools for the kids and the Ft. Benning wives group is awesome.  So that is very encouraging to me.  Seems as if the Army will be taking care of my youngest son, and his family, even if it is so far away from me.

But that's getting ahead of the story,  first he has to graduate!

Oh, the Weather Outside is Stormy

Oops,  ten days since last posting--delay because of power outage from  our huge storm.  Being from SoCal, I had not really experienced a major storm like this in the ten years we'd been up here in the Sierras.  Can't say that now.  We had such a terrible storm with heavy, wet snow and quite a bit of wind that many areas look like a warzone  Trees down everywhere, falling on buildings, cars, power poles, you name it.  Nothing has fallen on my house or barn yet, but I still have my fingers crossed.  The ground is so wet and I have a new creek running through the front of my property.

Power companies from as far away as Sacramento and Reno are here working 24/7 to get people back on power.  Yosemite Natl Park was among the hardest hit area and some of it doesn't have power yet.  Most people in the Sierras got their power by by last night but still we've had quite the hit.   Damage has got to be huge.  There were no generators to be found between Fresno and Modesto.Candles are gone too.  Should have bought stock in those companies.

So I look at those wonderful pics posted on Facebook--31st Battalion and can certainly commiserate with their bright pink faces.  They're COLD!  We have been huddling for a week. I feel like one of Charlie's grandparents in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory--under the comforter in bed was the warmest place to be.  A woodstove is nice but it doesn't heat the whole house. Thank goodness we didnt go for a pellet stove cause they need electricity to run.   Maybe I will follow my son to Georgia when he goes.  Of course,  he is the proverbial firebox and radiates heat so maybe his face wasn't as red as those in the picture.

Still no letter

I feel like Beetle Bailey's parents, waiting at the mailbox but nothing comes.  I did hear tonight that David wrote both of his children's classrooms as they had written him Valentines.  That made him feel so very special,  even if it attracted more personal attention at mailtime than he might have wanted.  So that was great. Also Becca got a letter also.   Does that mean that I'm next?   I hope so, I'm overdue.

According to a blog, Basic Training,  this week is about hand to hand combat.  Hmmm.  Maybe those karate lessons will come in handy.  Hopefully no injuries or problems.  One of the blogs I follow on basic training referred to a serious injury during this training series.  That concerns me,  no,  it just flat worries me, which is rather ridiculous since the point of all this is to keep them safe when they're in a combat zone.

Combat zone.....Let's NOT go there,  really.  But I guess it's not realistic to expect a soldier to not ever experience a combat zone so I'm depending on the Army's training to send them out prepared.  At least the training hasn't been shortened due to a dire need for soldiers in the field.  It certainly has happened before and probably will again. 

I will continue to write about every other day,  send cartoons (yes,  Beetle Bailey and others) and hope that the rest of his family will also.  Keeping up a soldier's morale is half the battle in keeping them safe.  I even expect to write other soldiers who don't get much mail.   I think the USO can provide names, etc, in case you're thinking the same thing.  Can't wait till I can send cookies, gum, whatever. 

Till then,  I must be content to know that several times a week,  at mail call,  my son will be receiving those brown envelopes I have mailed.  Brown to match the mud that rumor says the bootcamp is deluged with at this time of year.  Or brown because his name will be mud if I don't get a letter soon.

My grandson's birthday is coming up

My grandson's birthday is coming up.  His father will not be there.  His father may not even be able to call him.  This will be momumental..  All his grandparents will be attending whatever activities will happen.  Those are not yet scheduled as things are a bit distracted.  But I am willing to bet that this grandson, the one who would not speak to David on the phone, will not think it much of a birthday without his father.   I have found the perfect gift,  a recordable book,  "Guess How Much I Miss You", that I plan for David to record.  But it is very much in doubt that it will be able to happen for his birthday.  That too is depressing, for myself and the thoughts of this upcoming birthday.

We are in doubt as to when David will be able to return home for a visit.  Whether after boot or after AIT training,  we are unsure.  We are also not able to afford for all of us to visit him at graduation, even with my American Express member rewards points.  So, how to best solve this dilemma.  Perhaps to drive there?  But gas prices are horrendous and I do not have a hybrid.  The train?  While we'd all love it,  I don't think that's affordable, either.  So far,  details have yet to come from the Army or whomever.  I will be surfing many blogs to see if there are any suggestions or solutions out there.  Graduation date nebulous but I think we have about two months to solve this.  Stay tuned.

Just a phone call away

So I'm stirring the scrambled eggs when the phone rings.  I wondered who'd be calling on a Sunday afternoon but sure didn't even think it would be David's voice saying,  "Hi Mom!"  It took a second to sink in that it was my son calling from boot camp, from another time zone, from many states away.  He sounded so casual, with a little chuckle when I realized who it was.  

I'd been hoping that he would be able to call me soon.  Actually I was worried that he didn't have my phone number since everything was in his cell and they were not allowed to have them.   I was planning on including my phone number in my next letter since, as far as I knew,  he would have to use his phone card on a pay phone.   What a nice surprise!   They were given their cell phones for an hour and he was calling as many family members as he could fit in.   I'm so thrilled to have heard him live,  to ask my questions,  well, a few of them, while he was right there on the line.

He sounded good,  very good and proud of his accomplishments in the physical training area.  He was never the athlete his brother was and never played football like his father did. His brief years in AYSO were not terribly successful and he did not use his height to go forward with basketball.  He found karate very challenging and rewarding.  As a parent, I applauded the sense of responsibility and respect it brought forth.

I asked him about the food, his weight,  how long they had to eat.  He said that like anywhere, the food varied in quality and taste.  They had about five minutes to eat in and must finish with a glass of milk or water.  I refrained from inquiring if he had time to pick out the onions he didn't like or what happened if he didn't eat his tomato-laden entrees.   Now that he's in white phase, they can have the salad bar as a perk.  They still are not getting deserts or sweets.  Not that that's a bad thing, he's down below 250.  We probably won't recognize him. Forgot to ask about sodas--David was addicted to Pepsi,  guess that's not happening.

They've been into the rifle mode, shooting, etc.  With his vision that's going to be a challenge to qualify but I have faith.  If he's his mother's child or his grandmother's,  he should do well--both of us were keen shots back in our Texas days.  Course, that's a LONG time ago.   The next big activity is the Warrior Tower.  THAT is something I'm keen to hear his progress on.  He has an aversion to heights and I'm not sure how his upper arm strength is, but it's probably much better than when he left.

Anyway,  I'm still sitting here, basking in the afterglow of his phone call, checking flight schedules and prices,  waiting for a graduation date to plug in to finalize our trip.  I was proud of myself that I wasn't a blubbering idiot mom when he called,  just the oldest proud Army mom!