The 2nd most difficult thing a parent can do

[Warchild]

I did not think it would be this hard.

I was unprepared for the emotion I am experiencing.... but then, I've never done this before. It shouldn't be this big a deal. I didn't think it would, anyway.

But appearently, I was wrong.

Jeeze guys.... I can't even see this ******* keyboard, all the letters are blurry from the flood of tears.

*sigh*

I gots to pull my **** together, and right now, too.

Because in one hour, I take my eldest son to the airport, and put him on a plane, and send him away to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to begin Basic Training to become a U.S. Airman.

He is 19 years old.

Jesus, fellas.... jesus.....

 

[Ignacio]

I'll miss the lad too. One positive is he'll likely come back on leave all buffed up

 

[Ari Rankum]

Keep us posted on where he is stationed. If he shows up at the base I work on, or one nearby, I'd be happy to show him around and keep an eye on him for you.

Take care.

 

[airboss]

WC, the hard part is the seperation, and you have a right to the emotions you are experancing now( what parent wouldn't). That said; The Air Force took me in,folded, bent, and mutilated me. I became a not a new person, but a much better one.

 

[kaitsdad]

Warchild,

I feel for ya - let's face it, he's been attached to you for the last 19 years.

He no doubt misses you, too.

My son headed off to college last year - and it's just not the same around here without him.

I miss him lots. Sleeping in my lap when he was little, Indian Guides, Boy Scouts, HS marching band, his buds hanging out and playing pool, working on the car together, discussions about girls, etc., etc.

Crap. Now my keyboard is gettin fuzzy.....

 

[madmike2]

WC, I feels for ya. There are worse things to come, my friend. Wait until you walk your princess down the aisle and give her to some other man to watch over and care for her the way you do.

Back to the subject at hand.....we, who have walked in your son's shoes, couldn't imagine our father's feeling the way you do since we were on the other end of that scenario. BUT, we came back as men rather than the man-boy who left. In my case, a better man and a better relationship with my Dad because we operated on different levels of understanding and repsecting one other.

The sadness and emptiness of heart is something none of us are prepared for so we are amazed at the depth of our reaction. Hopefully, during his life, he has taken notes and will understand the input and influence you have had during his upbringing.

Hang in there friend, the man who returns will be a better son/friend than you would believe.

 

[weekend rider]

Hey cheer up it's only for a short time than he will be home again.

And besides he is in ths Air Force they only play with fix paper air planes (only kidding)

It is a nice thought that fine young man will be supporting and defending our country that is something to be proud of as a parent.

Our son went into the Marines and first tour of duty was in Japan after boot camp it was was pretty tough on his mom. Me I am the one who suggested it to him to get his overseas duty requirement out of the way. Everything worked out great out of the service and working on his degree and working and a very lucrative job.

weekend rider

 

[radman]

Have your daughters disappear from your life at ages 1 and 5, to go 1200 miles away due to a vindictive ex-wife, and state complicity. I envy you those 19 years.

"I felt bad because I had no shoes, until I met a man with no feet"

Some ancient ****** Proverb

 

[Rickster]

be proud! and be even more proud when he comes back!

 

[twowheelnut]

Always wondered how that might feel. Thanks for putting it the way you did. I get just a wee bit of an inkling...

 

[Wolfhound]

Tough to deal with for sure but I'm betting you did your homework when raising Him & you'll be getting one helluva Man back. Nothing better in my book than a young man who volunteers to serve His Country in this day & age.....Awesome & if He winds up in Phoenix area (Luke AFB) I'd be honored to show Him around.

 

[Bounce]

Retracted because it didn't come across as it was meant to. I would ask that Highlander edit as well/

The intent was to express that he not go in harms way and not get caught in any kind of revolving door.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Deleted

 

[Wolfhound]

Hindsight is great but time to move on.....

 

[BugR]

WC, My last born (off three) went off to college this fall.

I now have my car, tools, bikes and Diana to myself.

The house stays clean and I can use the phone as well

Oh there is a lot more nakedness in the house !

Chris

 

[FlyingLow]

WC, My last born (off three) went off to college this fall.I now have my car, tools, bikes and Diana to myself.

The house stays clean and I can use the phone as well

Oh there is a lot more nakedness in the house !

Chris

My oldest, 17, is applying to colleges, some of which are out of state.

I'm glad I have a younger one I can still hang around with for just a little while longer.

 

[beerme]

Wow, I wonder if my dad felt the same way about me running off to Lackland in '83?!

Now you can look forward to the pride you'll feel the first time you see your son in his dress blues. He'll be a new man. A MAN.

I felt your same pain this summer when my daughter ran off to college. That was a rough day. It's all good.

 

[nusman68]

He'll still be your son, still something to be proud of, now more than ever. The conversations you have with him will change, for sure, due to his 'new life'; hell, they might even be fun. I suspect that during one of these future conversations, you'll suddenly realize that he turned out quite well and is going to be okay in life. When that moment comes, I bet you'll actually feel at peace, now knowing the answer to a question that you worried about 19 years ago.

Oh, and if that doesn't work, you can always resort to ***** jokes....

 

[teerex51]

Dale,

Look at it this way: he's taking his first steps as an adult with the heady feeling of being in control of his life for the first time.

He'll probably miss you as much as you miss him, but that's what you raised him for. To be a responsible adult.

When he visits next I'm sure you'll see and appreciate the change in him

Stef