I'm still on the roller coaster! I tried desperately to jump off, but I just wasn't quick enough.
Today I dropped my son of to meet his recruiter for a ride to Tampa. He decided a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to join the National Guard. That definitely wasn't my first choice, but the handsome, talented and extremely stubborn one inherited my logical mind. His logical mind told him that in order for him to complete his education it would take X amount of time and cost X amount of dollars that would take X amount of years to pay back. By joining the Guard, his education will be paid for in full. He'll get more intense medical training than he would have been able to achieve on his own. Because of the EMT training that he's already completed, he was able to join at a higher rank than normal. Plus he's serving his country. I see the logic behind it. I see that he'll be able to go further in a shorter time. But hey, that's my baby we're talking about. He just graduated from preschool, didn't he? OK. Maybe that's a SLIGHT exaggeration. He'll be 19 in less than 2 months. So today I drove my baby to meet his recruiter and I watched as a grown man got into an official National Guard car on his way for his testing, physical and induction. He'll be back tomorrow. Basic training doesn't come until May. Somehow, though, I don't think he'll ever be my baby again!
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9 comments:
Oh my goodness! We will pray for your son AND for you. What an honor it is for us to have him serve our country. Thank you for loaning him to us for a while. We will pray God will keep him safe - as we do for them all, far, far, away.
Bless You!
What an amazing son.....so very brilliant and so very grown up! I thank God everyday for men like your son, to do these jobs that need doing....he truly is a hero and deserves every benefit he gets!!! Wish you and your son all the best, xxoo, Dawn
::))::((( more of those mixed emoticons......
You raised him to be a strong and sensitive young man and he will take that with him wherever he may go.
xoxo
Well, you've obviously done a good job with him - he's smart and brave all at once. Our "babies" will always be our babies and no matter how tall, strong, smart or brave they are, we as mothers will always feel they are walking across the street for t he first time without our hands. My prayers and thoughts will be with you all. Be proud - very proud..
Colleen
Oh wow, it's so hard to let them go, isn't it? When we look at them all grown up we see the babies and the children they used to be, and not only the men and women they've become. But God is faithful! He can take care of them even when we're not around, and he can give us mothers peace in the process.
A new visitor to your blog. I understand that you are KY bound! Now I'm envious. I'm a KY gal, transplanted to the coast of NC. How I miss my rolling hills and my UK Wildcats. I'll be cheering them on this weekend.
On another note...I, too, have an almost 19 year old son. I have felt my own angst at watching him move on. To date, it's been the most difficult pain I have known. That being said, one of the greatest joys I have known as his mother is watching him become the man that God wants him to be.
With three others still under my roof, I am encouraged that they, too, will one day know a similiar emerging. May God be close to you in this obvious season of "letting go."
peace for the journey~elaine
Wow! I just read a post at http://elizabethonthego.blogspot.com/
2008/03/someone-playing-mama.html
She was encouraging her readers to start praying for someone who would love their children like they do... I thought it was a great idea...
Oh, my mama heart knows what you mean. But you can be SO proud of him. He is becoming the man you raised him to be and your loving care and training is showing up. My husband's cousin did the same and he has been an Army doctor for over 25 years. He said it was the best thing he did. He does what he loves and he travels to treat some of our troops wherever they are. He couldn't have completed his education without being in the military.
I am proud and grateful that your son will be serving us. And my prayers will be with him - and with you.
~Adrienne~
Dearest Liz...my baby girl was barely 19 when she enlisted in the Air Force. Today she is 31 and has completed her Master's degree courtesy of the US Government. My baby boy was 18 years and 3 months old when he enlisted in the Navy. He possesses a Master elctricians license courtesy of the US Government. Granted ... they looked so beautiful in their uniforms, granted they served their country and granted I missed them like crazy.... but neither they nor I have ever regretted one minute of the experriences they came away with. God has a pourpose for each and every person that choses the life in the military. No matter how great or small the sacrifice we make as parents, the sacrifice these young people make with their choices are far greater. I am so very proud of how far Ryan has come in a short time. He is truly a man now and someone that we can all share pride in. Thank you Liz for supporting his decision. Thank you Ryan for serving our country. All my love.....
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