As a parent, you always worry about your kids. When they walk those clumsy first steps, weaving around all the furniture while you keep your hands reached out towards them so that when they do fall, they won't fall too hard. Next they are running all over the place, up the slide the wrong way, jumping off the swing. Then riding bikes, then skateboarding. All of the sudden, they're driving a car! Each new progression has a little more speed, a little more danger, a little more independence. All of these new experiences put them on their way to the place that we as parents are striving to take them....the place where they become "productive members of society".
As the mom of 2 United States Marines, I think we've got the "productive" part accomplished. Since they placed their feet on those yellow footprints on the island, they haven't had much of a chance not to be productive. No time to be lazy. Not many days to sleep in. And all too soon, the phone call came. "Mom, we leave the 15th." He didn't have to say where...I already knew. A whole new set of worries. The news that I've watched religiously since they enlisted has become a little harder watch. I try hard not to read too much into the stories. Avoid looking at the pictures...well, I try. It seems like every mother's nightmare that something will happen to one of their children & they won't be able to get there. That one of my children would be crying out for me & I couldn't get to them. When you have a child in the Military, you do think those thoughts. It's the most counterintuitive thing a mother can be asked to do. I've spent their entire lives making sure they were safe. Not too hot. Not too cold. Looking both ways. Now I've sent him off to a place where it's always too hot. Always too cold. Looking both ways isn't nearly enough because people could be shooting at him! I try desperately to avoid thinking about those posibilities. But when they creep in I can feel the emotion swell right up to my eyes. Then I remind myself that God is in control.
I send packages, cards, & emails trying to always be upbeat, positive & encouraging. I wouldn't want to do anything that might distract from his mission...stay alive & come home. But the worry takes up a little more of my time every day that he's gone. I miss my son. Can't wait to hug him.
Good To Go,
Proud Marine Mom X2
