jenn mccabe
She's OUR sunshine!
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2013
- Messages
- 21,161
I haven't been around for the last two or so days - it's been a crazy whirlwind of emotions. I'm sorry I'm about to write a novel but I just have to share. Sunday I dropped my son off at the local recruiting station in the early afternoon. They took him up to the state military entrance processing station where he spent the night. My husband and I drove up very early Monday AM to see him get sworn in and say our last goodbyes bf heading off to bootcamp. We thought we'd be there for about an hour or two - for a 5-10 minute ceremony. Nope! We ended up staying (unexpectedly) ALL DAY. We were even allowed to go through security and sit with him at the gate until he boarded for his first leg of his flight.
I have to admit Sunday was one of the worst days of my entire life. The loss I felt after leaving him at the recruiters - knowing he doesn't live with us anymore and the military owns his butt for the next 4+ years (provided he survives bootcamp) was gut wrenching. I think I acquired a stye in my eye from rubbing the tears so much/having my hands/fingers near my eyes wiping tears for 48 hours straight and going through about 3 boxes of tissue. I was even in the fetal position in my bed at one point on Sunday. It was bad. Monday - every time I saw a mom tear up, or break down, a girl friend start to weep, siblings crying, or even a few Dads with tears in the eyes ... I cried.
But ... after a long morning of waiting around at the building - by afternoon they getting ready to shuttle them over to the airport. We were told we would be able to get passes to stay with our kids until they boarded. My son's plane was one of the last to leave and kept getting delayed due to weather. We were able to have a meal together and we spent about 4.5 hours there. My son was the only one from his recruiting station going this day ... and a lot of the kids seemed to know each other, but it was awesome to listen to them all joke around and tell stories. To see all the other moms with same worry and fears ... to see all these kids my son was going off to BC with and they were just like him ... boys ... 17, 18, 19 years old. It really set my mind at ease. These kids made me laugh so hard. I actually felt OK to leave my son by the end of the experience. A lot of parents left after seeing their kids to the airport part and didn't stay. I 'm so glad I did. It made all the difference in the world.
As if the emotional roller coaster of those two days wasn't enough ... just before we left the processing station for the airport, I rec'd a strange call from an unknown number. It was a blur. I was so emotional from dealing with my son that I barely remember the conversation. Some other part of my mind must have taken over. But my daughter was just in a car accident. Her car had a flat tire, side damage and was not drivable. She was very shaken up but generally OK. She didn't need/want to go to the hospital. But we needed to go pick her up and take her home. And we were no where near home! It was awful. I was torn between wanting to sweep my baby girl up in my arms after a horrible experience (she just got her license not that long ago) and needing to be there for my son - who I won't see for 3 more months. It was not an easy decision to have to make. Luckily a good friend/neighbor was home and told me she's "got this". She picked up my girl and took her home and spent the day watching movies with her and taking care of her. It was such a crazy day! Today ... I am just decompressing. Whew!
I have to admit Sunday was one of the worst days of my entire life. The loss I felt after leaving him at the recruiters - knowing he doesn't live with us anymore and the military owns his butt for the next 4+ years (provided he survives bootcamp) was gut wrenching. I think I acquired a stye in my eye from rubbing the tears so much/having my hands/fingers near my eyes wiping tears for 48 hours straight and going through about 3 boxes of tissue. I was even in the fetal position in my bed at one point on Sunday. It was bad. Monday - every time I saw a mom tear up, or break down, a girl friend start to weep, siblings crying, or even a few Dads with tears in the eyes ... I cried.
But ... after a long morning of waiting around at the building - by afternoon they getting ready to shuttle them over to the airport. We were told we would be able to get passes to stay with our kids until they boarded. My son's plane was one of the last to leave and kept getting delayed due to weather. We were able to have a meal together and we spent about 4.5 hours there. My son was the only one from his recruiting station going this day ... and a lot of the kids seemed to know each other, but it was awesome to listen to them all joke around and tell stories. To see all the other moms with same worry and fears ... to see all these kids my son was going off to BC with and they were just like him ... boys ... 17, 18, 19 years old. It really set my mind at ease. These kids made me laugh so hard. I actually felt OK to leave my son by the end of the experience. A lot of parents left after seeing their kids to the airport part and didn't stay. I 'm so glad I did. It made all the difference in the world.
As if the emotional roller coaster of those two days wasn't enough ... just before we left the processing station for the airport, I rec'd a strange call from an unknown number. It was a blur. I was so emotional from dealing with my son that I barely remember the conversation. Some other part of my mind must have taken over. But my daughter was just in a car accident. Her car had a flat tire, side damage and was not drivable. She was very shaken up but generally OK. She didn't need/want to go to the hospital. But we needed to go pick her up and take her home. And we were no where near home! It was awful. I was torn between wanting to sweep my baby girl up in my arms after a horrible experience (she just got her license not that long ago) and needing to be there for my son - who I won't see for 3 more months. It was not an easy decision to have to make. Luckily a good friend/neighbor was home and told me she's "got this". She picked up my girl and took her home and spent the day watching movies with her and taking care of her. It was such a crazy day! Today ... I am just decompressing. Whew!
Sending hugs and know that the time will fly. 3 months will go in a flash (honest)! Hope DD is ok too 
