I am now an Army Mom

Welcome to a new chapter in my life. It's been awhile since I posted but now seems like a good time to start again. More for me to remember this journey but if you would like to walk along this path with me I would be grateful for any comments or perspective.
My youngest boy graduated from college a semester early and three weeks later left for basic training to serve in the Army as a military police specialist. He took a piece of my heart. I am so proud of him. He thought long and hard about his decision and got a lot of negative responses to his decision but never once waivered. When he told us I tried my best to be supportive but I was mush. I cried thinking of what he would have to go through in basic training and actually said " they will be mean to you!" Gib laughed and said they will be that way to everyone and it will make him a better, stronger person.
All I can think about is my adorable little redhead that always was up for anything and was so feisty. It makes sense he is a soldier now but he will always be my baby.

Swearing in before shipping out

He left Tuesday. We were able to talk to him all day as he made his way on a bus and two planes and finally another bus to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He called at 3:30 am and simply said" Garret Christen reporting in at Fort Leonard Wood" and whispered " I love you." Click. That was it. Still makes me cry. We are anxiously waiting for his first letter so we have an address to start sending him letters.

I find that I start to cry at the most random times and most of the time it comes out of nowhere. Mostly when I am driving and have time to think. My mascara is being asked to perform over and above right now. 

We spent the weekend going through the clothes, books, backpacks, shoes, coats and all things hunting that Garret brought home with him from college. He said to just get rid of his clothes since he won't need them for at least five years. I can't bring myself to do that. He still had two Snickers bars on his dresser. They will stay there too. I always had one waiting for him when he would come home from school. It was our thing. 

There is a lot of great information on the Fort Leonard Wood website http://www.wood.army.mil/. That helps a mom try to know where their soldier is and a little about what they may be going through. For that I am grateful. 

Just waiting to hear from him. On standby.