This morning was more difficult than I thought it would be. We (XW #1 and her husband, my D and I) all arrived at the MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) at about 8. Swearing-in ceremony was outside in the parking lot-which I thought was a bit odd-around 9:30. We took lots of pictures, had a 45 minute presentation from the facility commander (Major, USMC) about what we could expect in the next few months and then waited until 12:30 when the recruits finally boarded the bus.
I held it together until S fiercely hugged me goodbye. Quickly put my sunglasses back on, hugged and said goodbye to the others, got in my car and wept until I got back to the office.
I feel like I've cried more in the last 6 months than I have in the last 30 years.
He is doing just what he wants. He's going to be very good at it. I am thrilled and so proud of him. I know he will do well in basic and flourish at the Defense Language Institute. I could not be happier for him. I will be flying to San Antonio in 8 weeks for his graduation, and he gets a 17 day leave at Christmas.
But in the last 6 months we have grown so close. We have done something together nearly every week. He became my good, mature friend as well as my son. He was there for me when I needed someone. So it was tough to see him go knowing that the days of him being "my son at home" are over.
I'm now one of the hundreds of thousands of parents who have experienced the same. God bless them all.
And to those of you here who are in active service or are veterans: thank you, And God bless you, also.
H 56 W 48 D27,S21 SS25 SS22 Severely autistic M(#2 for both) 9 1/2 yrs. "I've never loved you" 3/7/2011 Separated 8/7/2011 BITS
