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!
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