Tomorrow I am taking my son to the Air Force recruiting office to turn in his application and begin the process of making him an Airman. To say I am nervous is an understatement. I know that this is a good decision. I know that he will benefit greatly from serving his country, in ways both tangible and intangible. However, I also know that I will miss him terribly. Even though he will probably not ship out for approximately 6-9months, I was not prepared to say good-bye to him so quickly. The original plan was for him to move with me to Chicago and then go to fire school there. He has dreamed of being a fire fighter since about the seventh grade. While he was in fire school, he would’ve just lived with me. In reality, I was expecting to have at least a couple of years with him still at home. That thought did not upset me. While my son and I have had some rough patches in our relationship, especially while he was going through the wilderness of puberty, we are at a really good place right now. He has matured and grown into a young man I truly enjoy. To lose him now that I feel like I just recently found him again is upsetting. Yet, as a parent who only wants the best for her child, I also know that this isn’t about me. In truth, I was the one that opened the door to this path. I knew that a life in the military would be an asset to my son. I knew he would only benefit from the experience. I only want the best for him, and this decision is the epitome of that wish. This Memorial Day, I pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country – past and present. Too many of you did not make it back to your families, and my prayers are with those you left behind. Your sacrifice and dedication is inspiring. As I prepare to send my son to join your ranks, although my heart is heavy, it is also full of pride. God Bless America, and each and every one of you.
Words from the Long Run 