I cant stop the tears. My daughter goes tomorrow for her ASVAB and physical and continuing background check for the Navy.

I dont why it just hit me tonight!! I cant believe it is real. I am so proud of her but I miss her already. She wont be going to bootcamp until June of 2009 but suddenly I feel like that is no time at all!!!

I am going to miss her so bad. What can I do? I still have my son at home but he is already feeling it too and will miss her as much as I do.

I know I will get passed this but I dont know how.

Thanks for listening. If anyone understands, all you wonderful ladies will.

Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

Jeaninne,

I completely understand your feelings! In 1989 when my oldest son was a senior in High School, he signed up for the Marines. He was due to leave for boot camp just three days after graduation. He and his best friend went in on the "buddy system." I knew we had that last year of high school with him but it seemed like everything went so fast! Football games......Prom......Spring break......Senior pictures......then Graduation. The morning he left, I tried very hard to stay strong, but it was impossible. I went into two weeks of crying and barely able to function. I had five younger children to take care of and I'm sure that's what kept me going. The first letter I received from boot camp was a godsend. The 11 weeks he was gone seemed like an eternity. My husband and I flew out to San Diego for his graduation and I can't tell you how very proud of him we were. It's an amazing sight to see. All those young new marines standing at attention. There wasn't a dry eye anywhere. He flew home with us for his 10 day leave, then back to Camp Pendleton for more training. The next year, he was stationed in St. Mary's Georgia at the nuclear sub base.

I just want you to know that we all got through it. One day at a time. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

Just to let you know how things turned out....My son is now 37 years old, a police officer, happily married and the father of two boys and a girl. His oldest son, my oldest grandchild, now 16, plans to sign up for the Marines next year and go in right after graduation. Just like his Dad. Here we go again.....but we're so very, very proud.

Jeannine,

It's easy to understand your sorrow at your girl going. She's your baby, and also she's been a big help to you - she's a kind soul. You'll rightly miss her very much.

I hope your pride in her will help carry you through your times of missing her. She's going to enter a time of training that will ask a lot of her - she's clearly a brave girl.

The good news is that these days, it is so much easier for people to stay in touch. There's phone linkage all over the world, and emails can fly anywhere in the matter of seconds. You'll be able to share photos online, chat on the phone, send packages, and there will be times of furlough and visits. Can you imagine how it was in the old days, when a child went into the service? Nothing but snail mail and a whole lot of uncertainty about whether that mail would or wouldn't get through. This is one way in which the current technology is a HUGE blessing.

I know that may not help much, when it comes to thinking about your daughter not being around each day. It's hard for all of us when our children spread their wings and fly. I suspect that with your physical struggles, it's even a little more resonating.

Wishing your daughter the very best as she embarks on her training.

(((HUGS)))

JJ

Thanks Texasgirl! I so needed to hear from someone who has been there done that! I am feeling so alone already that I cannot stand it. I always told myself that I would handle it better but I am not!

Thank you so much for responding. It makes me feel better to know I can get through this and be fine and I know she will be alright.

You are so welcome! I pray that you and your daughter have many happy moments between now and the time she has to leave for boot camp. It will be a great experience for her, and I know you must be proud. I won't lie....it will be hard on you. Just remember, our children all grow up and become adults. Just like we did. But they'll always be our children. Mine are all grown now and they often ask me for advice on raising their own children. I know someday they will all feel the heartache of seeing their children become adults and leave home, just like I did. And life goes on....

God bless you.

(((Stitchnanny)))
When my daughter left it was like a big hole in my heart which could only be filled with tears.
Slowly it got better and as JJ says - modern technology is such a blessing.
It's so normal to feel so awful and having to let go.
Probably your daughter is also in a turmoil of emotions, sadness, excitement, fear...
Perhaps it will help you to focus on reassuring her and telling her how proud you are of her.
Have wonderful times together, make memories, take photos and laugh a lot together - focus on the now, not on the future, day by day...
Remember, distance might separate you, but nothing can break the bond between you both and she will always be your sweet daughter, where ever she is.
And you are a brilliant mother - if she has the courage and self confidence to fly from the nest, you have done a wonderful job!
So here's to a great mother!
Hugs, Jonie

Jeaninne, I understand so well how you feel!! When my youngest left, the house felt so empty... I would wander around and imagine that he was there, then imagine what he was doing, thinking, feeling.

It does get better, I promise you. Hang in dear friend. Just hang in.

Hugs,
Marcy

(((stitch))))) When my youngest (twin boys) went off to college, a year after my daughter did the same, I was so upset, and so depressed, I couldn't get out of bed. I cried for 3 days straight, and saw no hope in getting out of my grief, because let's face it... it IS grief when they move away, and then my g/f said something that helped me soooo much.

She said.... "They are doing EXACTLY what you raised them to do. They are becoming self sufficient, educated grown-ups with their whole lives to live. EVERYTHING you have worked so hard for all these years is HAPPENING. All you ever wanted for your children was for them to lead happy, and independent lives. And they are! CONGRATULATIONS on a job well done!! CELEBRATE yours and their accomplishments!! Be happy for them AND for you!! Your job was to raise them and raise them well, and you did!!"

And still, event tho it's been 5 years, when that little bit of sadness creeps in remembering the old times, I think of that. And my friend was ABSOLUTELY right. And I am so grateful for the choices they have made, and I take pride in knowing that I helped them in their journey... that I was significant in who they are.... and that always makes me smile.

Hang on to that pride that you feel.... you both earned it. She didn't get the way she is all by herself. YOU made a difference, not only to her life, but to all who know her. GOOD JOB!!!!

XOXOXOXO

Oh wow, you all have overwhelmed me!!

I will hang to everything you have said as it has already helped me. I feel very good now about her going because I know it is the right thing for her to do. She will be happy and yes she is so excited, it is hard to contain her in one room.

I am so proud of her, I could just burst. I do not know how to express it in words but THANK YOU ALL for your kind words of encouragment. I needed them.

HUGS TO YOU ALL!

There is a BIG difference between when a child leaves for college, and when a child leaves to serve her/his country in the military, especially during wartime.

My daughter has graduated college, and lives many states away, in Florida.
She is a 2 hour plane ride away from me.

My twin boys are away at college.
They are a 2 and 1/2 hour drive away from me.

After bootcamp or basic training, there is no telling where your child will be on this Earth when they serve in the military. This is what the families of these brave young people must endure, and no one can fully understand this except for other families with a child in service. It is NOT only the empty nest, it is the added stress of serving in a constant relocated or an undisclosed location during wartime.

You and your daughter have my utmost respect, stitchnanny. I would also like to thank your daughter for her brave choice to serve her country and fight for the freedom we all enjoy. I wish your daughter to be safe and well, and I wish you peace and comfort.

Yes, there is a big difference, however stitchnanny's post was in regards to missing her daughter, not the dangers she was facing. I addressed the post.

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Don't give it a second thought Arm, it doesn't even matter What matters is that stitch feels the love from her PS sisters ((((((stitch)))))) And I think she does

Mothers of children in the military, like stitch and Texasgirl, have my utmost love and respect.

I owe my life and freedom to them, and for this, I can only say, thank you.

Thank you ladies. I do feel the love from all of you and cannot thank you enough from the bottom of my heart for all the support you have given me.

My daughter thanks you too. She thanks you for being there for me.

Hugs from both of us.

Love,
Jeaninne and Katy