I can't believe it. David has been gone for over three weeks. I know cause I counted the days on the calendar I keep just to track his basic. Or is it boot camp? Which is correct? I think I like the term "basic" better because it implies building a foundation. And like any foundation, it must be stable and level, strong and reliable. That's a good beginning for the next phase of his life. Not only his life, but his family's.
Having little military background or exposure myself, I rely on reading other blogs and talking with people who do. It seems that there's a good support system for wives and family with the Army. I certainly have benefited from the various websites and blogs. I only hope the rest of the family has accessed them. I must remember that I am a retired teacher, not an active one and that the family are not my students. However, I still have objectives in mind and potential lessons to be learned.
I am gladdened by the orientation and philosophies of the military families whose blogs I read. Their patriotism, sense of responsibility and belief in God are uplifting. I admire their ability to raise a family while on the move and without what many of us would consider a decent income. That they have learned to do more than merely survive is exceptional. I know it's not easy having to leave friends and family,and be the "new kid on the block" repeatedly. I hated it myself when my family relocated from Texas to California after my sophomore year in high school.
My prayers and thoughts are with my son and his family constantly. I worry that they will be able to make this transition, to be able to mesh with the military demands and limitations. I assure myself that they are young and the young are flexible. I am hopeful that, in this terrible economy, David and his family will be able to hold their head up and know that "basically" they are more than all right and not "lost in the woods."
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
First Letter Arrives
How ironic that today, in the aftermath of a huge snowfall, I don't boot up and get the mail till about 3. (It arrives about 10). After I wade through the snow and the creek that results from rain and melting snow, I get out to the mailbox, the mailbox with no front flap, thanks to the everpresent vandals. (This is our fifth mailbox in ten years, a rate that has slowed down immensely since I inserted a T post just before it, thwarting their baseball bats as they drive by). The former sheriff, when I complained about the November spree that destroyed my box among 22 others, simply said, "Boys will be boys!
The mail is damp, the top letter wet from the storm. Wonderfully, my thoughtful mailman has put my son's first letter beneath everything so it is dry. I must have looked odd, dancing around on the road, waving it! Then, dashing back to the house, protecting it from the sudden spurt of snowflakes, I even came all the way in with my boots on! Something I rarely ever do. Then, I frantically dig around looking for one of TWO letter openers that I have. I am somewhat compulsive about using a letter opener, but I resort to the scissors since I can't wait to unearth the opener. Still needing to preserve the involved military address that will enable my missives to arrive.
Now, an hour and several readings later, I can breathe deeper, email family with the all-important address. And write MY first letter to my son.
The mail is damp, the top letter wet from the storm. Wonderfully, my thoughtful mailman has put my son's first letter beneath everything so it is dry. I must have looked odd, dancing around on the road, waving it! Then, dashing back to the house, protecting it from the sudden spurt of snowflakes, I even came all the way in with my boots on! Something I rarely ever do. Then, I frantically dig around looking for one of TWO letter openers that I have. I am somewhat compulsive about using a letter opener, but I resort to the scissors since I can't wait to unearth the opener. Still needing to preserve the involved military address that will enable my missives to arrive.
Now, an hour and several readings later, I can breathe deeper, email family with the all-important address. And write MY first letter to my son.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Weather channel addiction
I can't believe it, I've got the weather channel icon on my toolbar, just to check and compare my weather and the weather my son is experiencing at boot camp. He arrived at the end of that huge blizzard in 4 degree weather. I verified that he left in shorts but had his flannel lounging pants with him. Wonder if he wore them to arrive there. Now it's in the 50's there, much better to my mind, especially since here, today, it's snowing. Not that it's much below freezing, it ranges up and down a little, snowing, raining, hailing, snowing, and nothing on the ground anymore. BUT, it's supposed to rain/snow for the next four days which puts quite the damper on my activities. People drive terribly in bad weather here and I'd rather just avoid the idiots.
He has some sun but showers are expected this week. He's out of Reception Battalion at last. They have received their winter gear so I'm thinking that he'll do fine. Just being a mom. He and his family love the snow, the recreational variety of snow. The kids even took skiing lessons last year. He, however, stayed in by the fireplace with either his laptop or a good book for company or participated in snowball fights. Like mother, like son. I NEVER tried any kind of snow sport as I'm very clumsy and have weak ankles. I'd much rather have a good book and a glass of wine. Or just the wine and a good view of the mountains. The quiet of the snowfall, no dogs barking!! Mine are cowering from the weather, dashing outside then begging to get back in. Towels await at either door to lessen the affects of wet dog syndrome. And NO getting on the new couch!
I try to picture what he is doing way too often during the day. Maybe he is fondly imagining life at home, playing with the kids, picking them up from school, taking the dog to the dog park, sitting down to dinner with the whole family, having pizza, playing games on the computer, going to the movies. I wonder if they serve pizza at bootcamp? Anybody know?
He has some sun but showers are expected this week. He's out of Reception Battalion at last. They have received their winter gear so I'm thinking that he'll do fine. Just being a mom. He and his family love the snow, the recreational variety of snow. The kids even took skiing lessons last year. He, however, stayed in by the fireplace with either his laptop or a good book for company or participated in snowball fights. Like mother, like son. I NEVER tried any kind of snow sport as I'm very clumsy and have weak ankles. I'd much rather have a good book and a glass of wine. Or just the wine and a good view of the mountains. The quiet of the snowfall, no dogs barking!! Mine are cowering from the weather, dashing outside then begging to get back in. Towels await at either door to lessen the affects of wet dog syndrome. And NO getting on the new couch!
I try to picture what he is doing way too often during the day. Maybe he is fondly imagining life at home, playing with the kids, picking them up from school, taking the dog to the dog park, sitting down to dinner with the whole family, having pizza, playing games on the computer, going to the movies. I wonder if they serve pizza at bootcamp? Anybody know?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day doldrums
I'm in a funk, no I'm depressed. For the first time as a Mom I can't send or receive a Valentine's card from both my boys. Valentines have been a big deal all my life. I still have the one from Rodney in fourth grade in my bible, plus boxes with all the ones I've received since. My mom was the same and I kept her collection, so you could say Valentines have been important to me. David's cards have usually been humorous. My favorite from him is the one that says something like raising him could have been worse--he could have been twins. That's funny cause he was so big that the doctor thought he was twins till right at the end.
I don't have David's address yet so his card will be late, how late I don't know but I won't be able to picture him opening it today. And what about the cards that Leo and Keg made? Plus the wifely sweet thing Becca has for him? Or the ones from Keagan's class that they made? No matter that David will be embarrassed by their being sent. Suck it up. You're in the Army now. I'm speaking to myself, too. In a way, the entire family is in the Army now.
The odd part is that I have always wished one of my boys would go into the service like their grandfathers. Both grandfathers were in the Navy during WWII, my dad as a Naval aviator, Craig's dad was a petty officer on a submarine. David had planned on going into the Navy right after graduation but changed his mind at the very last minute. That decision eventually resulted in my being a grandmother, so that's a good thing, no that's a great thing.
David must be having a hard time, as we are, being out of communication with family and friends. He was a regular on Facebook and had his own blog. I still log on expecting to see a green dot showing he was available on chat room. Well, I'll send his Valentine greeting out to the universe, Happy Valentine's Day, Big Man.
I don't have David's address yet so his card will be late, how late I don't know but I won't be able to picture him opening it today. And what about the cards that Leo and Keg made? Plus the wifely sweet thing Becca has for him? Or the ones from Keagan's class that they made? No matter that David will be embarrassed by their being sent. Suck it up. You're in the Army now. I'm speaking to myself, too. In a way, the entire family is in the Army now.
The odd part is that I have always wished one of my boys would go into the service like their grandfathers. Both grandfathers were in the Navy during WWII, my dad as a Naval aviator, Craig's dad was a petty officer on a submarine. David had planned on going into the Navy right after graduation but changed his mind at the very last minute. That decision eventually resulted in my being a grandmother, so that's a good thing, no that's a great thing.
David must be having a hard time, as we are, being out of communication with family and friends. He was a regular on Facebook and had his own blog. I still log on expecting to see a green dot showing he was available on chat room. Well, I'll send his Valentine greeting out to the universe, Happy Valentine's Day, Big Man.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
In the beginning.....
I don't know how this works exactly but am inspired by my daughter-in-law's outstanding blog, Letters From Lynwood. I've never really blogged, maybe added a comment or two occasionally but never one of my own. Bec's looks so professional and she is talented with verbage. Mine won't be nearly so nice.
What it is.....here at the ripe old age of 66 (yes, I can admit my age) I am the proud, very proud, Army mom of a private entering bootcamp/basic? at the age of 34. That he has waited this long is a story in itself, and would / will be an entry for another time.
It is inconceivable to me that my computer addicted, game playing, couch potato son would not only sign up, but pass the physical. He was soft, overweight and lazy, sleeping in at any opportunity. You could find him online at all hours of the day, on facbook or playing games. That he had so much leisure time was due to the economy and his company's downsizing. He lived in an area with nearly 20% unemployment, most of it in his field.
It was a really difficult decision for him, one which had to weigh the necessity of bringing in an income to provide for his family with the reality of leaving them behind for at least a while. I am having a hard time envisioning him in a bunk with no room for Bec and the kids. I hope he's on the bottom cause I'm not sure that the bunks wouldn't topple over with him on top. Picture a 6'5, 260 pound guy on top! Not.
His going away party was wonderful with many friends and nearly all of his family turning out. The pix are now posted in an album on my Facebook. There may have been some who came later that I didn't get, sorry. The kids helped decorate, making the poster that shows up in the background of the pix, putting the address labels and stamps on the mounds of envelopes we sent with him, hoping he'd find the time to write. Bec and her mom made absolutely fabulous cookies because of David's sweettooth. They even made enough to send a care package home with me . A few made it home to Ted.
His recruiting sargeant picked him up at 3 friggin am, I know cause I was up, texting him till he left. Being a mom. I was already back home in Mariposa and couldn't sleep. He was to have flown out in 24 hours, BUT because of the huge blizzard across the Midwest, he couldn't. He was stuck for 4 days in LA with 23 other recruits, at MEPS at a hotel near the airport. He texted me from time to time while in LA. I, being a mom, worried that he would be REALLY cold at bootcamp, was assured that he had cap, gloves and a jacket. He is rumored to have left in shorts, typically SoCal, which I'm sure caused much hilarity and discomfort at the other end where it was 4 degrees when he finally landed.
I haven't heard from him first hand, but Becca has and is preventing my heart attack by reading his letter to me over the phone. I guess they were able to call briefly (less than a 2 minute phone call) to assure loved ones that they had arrived. Still haven't an address for him and will chafe at not being able to get him his birthday card next week. He will turn 35, the cut-off age, while in basic training. He requested that we NOT send birthday cards as the others will tease him. TOO BAD, guy. I guess I could repost his facebook picture of his hernia incision from his last birthday, lol! That will teach him. Happy birthday, Big Man!
What it is.....here at the ripe old age of 66 (yes, I can admit my age) I am the proud, very proud, Army mom of a private entering bootcamp/basic? at the age of 34. That he has waited this long is a story in itself, and would / will be an entry for another time.
It is inconceivable to me that my computer addicted, game playing, couch potato son would not only sign up, but pass the physical. He was soft, overweight and lazy, sleeping in at any opportunity. You could find him online at all hours of the day, on facbook or playing games. That he had so much leisure time was due to the economy and his company's downsizing. He lived in an area with nearly 20% unemployment, most of it in his field.
It was a really difficult decision for him, one which had to weigh the necessity of bringing in an income to provide for his family with the reality of leaving them behind for at least a while. I am having a hard time envisioning him in a bunk with no room for Bec and the kids. I hope he's on the bottom cause I'm not sure that the bunks wouldn't topple over with him on top. Picture a 6'5, 260 pound guy on top! Not.
His going away party was wonderful with many friends and nearly all of his family turning out. The pix are now posted in an album on my Facebook. There may have been some who came later that I didn't get, sorry. The kids helped decorate, making the poster that shows up in the background of the pix, putting the address labels and stamps on the mounds of envelopes we sent with him, hoping he'd find the time to write. Bec and her mom made absolutely fabulous cookies because of David's sweettooth. They even made enough to send a care package home with me . A few made it home to Ted.
His recruiting sargeant picked him up at 3 friggin am, I know cause I was up, texting him till he left. Being a mom. I was already back home in Mariposa and couldn't sleep. He was to have flown out in 24 hours, BUT because of the huge blizzard across the Midwest, he couldn't. He was stuck for 4 days in LA with 23 other recruits, at MEPS at a hotel near the airport. He texted me from time to time while in LA. I, being a mom, worried that he would be REALLY cold at bootcamp, was assured that he had cap, gloves and a jacket. He is rumored to have left in shorts, typically SoCal, which I'm sure caused much hilarity and discomfort at the other end where it was 4 degrees when he finally landed.
I haven't heard from him first hand, but Becca has and is preventing my heart attack by reading his letter to me over the phone. I guess they were able to call briefly (less than a 2 minute phone call) to assure loved ones that they had arrived. Still haven't an address for him and will chafe at not being able to get him his birthday card next week. He will turn 35, the cut-off age, while in basic training. He requested that we NOT send birthday cards as the others will tease him. TOO BAD, guy. I guess I could repost his facebook picture of his hernia incision from his last birthday, lol! That will teach him. Happy birthday, Big Man!
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