<p>Only 47 days before he leaves! Wow, are we ever ready? </p>
<p>Go ahead parents, close your eyes, be still and give thanks! Are you smiling yet? We all should be smiling. We've "done good".</p>
<p>I'm not smiling; I feel sick</p>
<p>It's strange to feel so giddily excited and bereft at the same time. This is probably the first time I can think of in my own life that a tremendous accomplishment has come with such a deep feeling of loss. For now, we are all busying ourselves with the pre-induction frenzy of graduation activities, a farewell party and summer vacation afterwards...that helps to take some of the sting away.</p>
<p>Sacto mom...I could not have said it better. On one hand we are so proud and on the other hand there is sadness. As parents we knew this day would come. Unfortunately it came way too fast. We should feel honored that our children have chosen the path they have. There are few teenagers in life that would be willing to make the sacrifices that are children are about to encounter.</p>
<p>It gets worse!
There was a post on the parents website about how her son had just finished flight school . . . She was helping him get his belongings together for the move.
She was lamenting how each stage was fun, up until now. How exciting it had been to drop him at USNA, but they still felt connected to the "college" experience.
How exciting graduation had been, but he was still going to school.
Until now . . .all the years of schooling were coming to an end and her son was now an adult.</p>
<p>We feel the same, even though our son is just finishing his first year. It is sad [actually it is GREAT!] how, as each time builds, he more confidently returns to the Academy without a second thought.</p>
<p>Thankyou Sacto mom and 3106. In my leading post, I considered asking how is it that we can cry tears of pride at the same time as tears of loss. </p>
<p>I just did it again, I can't type fast with tears welling up. I better get off now. I have an appointment to keep.</p>
<p>It's funny....</p>
<p>You count the days until you leave for an Academy, and less than an hour after getting there (if you're not too busy to remember) you're counting the days until you graduate! :D</p>
<p>The amazing thing is that before you know it, you HAVE graduated! :eek:</p>
<p>Last year we visited our son at USAFA at the end of the Spring Semester. We had agreed to meet at the visitor center after his last final. I was watching for him to come down the path and almost didn't recognize him because he looked so happy and relaxed. It struck me that he was "his old self" with his typical Andy swagger. My husband and I both comented at the same time how he no longer had that shell shocked "Deer in the headlights" look! It was also the moment we both realized that he would not be "coming home" for any length of time again. Each year brings new challenges and rewards. It is hard to believe that our son is completing his second year. </p>
<p>We will be going out to visit him again at the end of this semester, this time to bring a car and to attend his Blue Suit Ceremony, where he will become an official member of the Wings of Blue Parachute Team. </p>
<p>Needless to say I always bring my camera and a box of Kleenex, and wear my dark sunglasses even on cloudy days! It gets easier, but you never really get used to it!</p>
<p>Tears just keep coming and going along with the lump in my throat.
My feelings are the same as everyone and I kind of figured that the future brings exactly what is described. I just have to keep telling myself that I brought this little boy into this world to become the man he is meant to be. Then I guess I've done my job.</p>
<p>On a separate note, Jake had to write a "gratitude" essay in English and had to select a few people and discuss how they helped him in his life. It was the greatest gift to me as I read about dad,sister and brother and then me. It was more wonderful that I can say.</p>
<p>It is so hard because I am torn. On one hand, I am happy he is becoming a successful, independent man but on the other, I want to keep him close. Since the beginning of the school year I have tried not to think too much about his high school graduation. Now that it is just a few weeks away I am forced to think about it and deal with it. I find myself breaking into tears over the stupidest things. My husband will ask me what is wrong and I don't want to tell him so I just say "nothing". When I say that he knows what my problem is - I am already missing my oldest son.</p>
<p>What he doesn't want to tell you is that he is breaking into tears at the stupidest of moments too. [whispering to the side: "I did"]</p>
<p>I like to say that him going back after PPW was much harder than I-day. After I-day, we still thought of him as our little boy, who had gone off for an adventure.
After PPW, it was evident that a young man was beginning to emerge.
Now, as we prepare for Herndon, we still think of him as our boy, but it is clear that he is a young adult.</p>
<p>It is MUCH harder sending them to an Academy becuase they grow up MUCH faster. His friends were at the house yesterday and, despite one year of college, they are pretty much the same yuk-yuks they were before. Great kids, but not at the same level as our son. [Even if we do say so ourselves.]</p>
<p>It's interesting to hear you say that, with one year of the academy experience behind you. I have sensed that...that the abruptness of their entry into the service academy environment, coupled with the additional responsibilities, obligations and challenges they face, does change them faster and more dramatically. But as you say, these are kids that have "the right stuff" and not only can handle those demands, they thrive on them.</p>
<p>That makes it easier to make sense of it all...knowing that they have a burning desire to do this and they wouldn't be happy settling for anything else. Aren't they amazing young people?</p>
<p>You people!! Here I am, trying to hold it together & then I come here & read these posts - y'all can just about keep me from going a whole day w/ no tears (my big goal these days!).</p>
<p>But thank goodness for you all who understand this crazy range of emotions we're going thru. I've never felt so emotional in my life!</p>
<p>Yeah, it's amazing how we can feel so much pride & happiness for them, along with the twinges of sadness for ourselves! I try so hard not to grieve over DS leaving (because that's about me - and this whole thing is definitely not about me!), and I'm just so very happy for him...</p>
<p>Whew! What a ride! (Already!). It's Friday nite - Merlot & chocolate anyone??</p>
<p>Wait! Not without me! I'm outta chocolate. Sigh. How 'bout twinkies? Twinkies & merlot for everyone! I agree. They are the most amazing young people. And aren't we something to have one of them!? You guys are sure gonna run through a gauntlet of emotions this next month. Wish I could say or do something to make it easier. Feel like you're you're walking in the clouds with bricks on your back? Its rough. A bunch of us were told last year that this year would fly by. I never thought it to be possible, but it did. And so much has happened during this year that you will feel like you're on a roller coaster the entire time. I truly don't think you ever come down. I'm looking so forward to reading your thoughts and seeing your emotions when you drop them off. Ya'll better stay in touch here! I wanna share some of your pride. I'm so proud of these kids. They are doing such big things. God bless them each & every one.</p>
<p>100 Hankies to you all!</p>
<p>"Walking in the clouds with bricks on your back..." I love that expression! Thanks! It's a great way to describe what we're all going through.</p>
<p>I found this great new chocolate--dark chocolate caramel cups from Newman's!</p>
<p>My soon-to-be plebe-no-more just left the house in his choker whites to attend a formal dance.</p>
<p>Some may argue this, but there is nothing better looking than a young man, in full dress naval whites [gloves included].<br>
I say a young man, because he IS a young man. In fact, his grandmother had just commented yesterday about how different he was; that he was a "young man" now.</p>
<p>I will save the bit of caution for next post . . . just enjoy the moments as they come.</p>
<p>No argument here. Those white chokers are sweet. I only got to see the black choker in person. Pretty sharp! The whites were just issued at USMMA so haven't seen them yet (in person). They have some formal things going on in June where they'll get a crack at wearing them. Hope I get lots of pix. Hope your Mid is having such a grand time out and about tonight!</p>
<p>bill- hope you got some pics for us to share! Congrats to you and your fine young man!</p>
<p>My gosh! When I dropped her off on R-Day, it seemed like it would be an eternity before this year would be over. And in the blink of an eye...</p>