saying goodbye is never fun....

Saying goodbye to Sam was one of the hardest things ever. He didn't try to hide the tears he was wiping away as he turned and walked toward his barracks with his plastic shopping bags of supplies from the px. (He hadn't been to a store since he first got there in February, and needed more razors and this tool for being out in the field, which cost like $50. I always thought the Army supplied the soldiers with gear, but lots of the stuff they have to buy with their own money.)

Anyway. It was hard to leave him. He has settled in and adjusted, and now has to go through the homesickness all over again. But these next five weeks of Infantry training will go by much faster than the first 11 weeks of being processed, and regular Basic training. Because hey, five weeks is only 35 days. That's what I told him. He hasn't had candy or coffee or pizza in all those weeks, and lost 25 pounds. He looks good. He didn't eat too much of the junk we brought him, and that he got at the px. He isn't used to it anymore.

He has grown up. He is so very responsible, and careful to abide by all of the rules. He stands up so straight and tall, the Army has accomplished in a matter of weeks what I couldn't manage to do in all of his 18 years, no matter how I nagged. But, now he stands straight and tall. He is super respectful, and thankful, and has this good attitude to take things right no matter what. He has known from childhood that Life Isn't Fair, but when it happens that it really isn't, it is not easy to take. He said being in the Army is mostly mental. I told him that LIFE is mostly mental. It's all in the attitude. He said some guys just complain about everything all the time, and their Army experience is awful. Not that I blame them, from what Sam told me, I would complain too:)....Sam went on this 11 mile "ruck", with a 60 pound pack, on a hot humid Georgia day, in full gear. He was near the front, and booking along nicely ,when a Sgt. asked him if he was going to, "fall out of line". He answered, "No, Drill Sergeant.", and was rewarded with running all the way back to the start of the line to count everyone, then back up to the front. For me, that would have been the time to call the M.P.s, I would simply walk away and go AWOL. Then there was the time he assembled The Perfect Breakfast. Now Chow time isn't like a restaurant, or even home. You Get What You Get And You Don't Throw A Fit, as Charlotte Claire would say. But this one morning, all the stars were aligned properly in the universe, and he got all the good stuff. He got the large box of Raisin Bran Crunch, and he actually got milk for it...apparently sometimes if there is a back-up in the line for milk, the Drill Sgt. will tell them to just move along, which means dry cereal or cereal with Powerade on it. Anyway, Perfect Breakfast morning....as soon as Sam sat with his tray, a Sgt. came in and asked for two volunteers for Fire Watch. No one volunteered, so immediately they were told they were selfish, and they were excused from breakfast. Perfect Breakfast, and he didn't get to eat one bite. Life Ain't Fair.

But when one signs up for the military, one knows these things will happen, and Sam really tries to take it all in stride. Remember, he is the boy who would sit there at the dinner table with all his silverware and plate and cup arranged Just So, and eat ever so slowly, he had his routines. I am amazed and surprised and really genuinely happy that he has adjusted so well to so much change. He is actually so stinkin' proud of himself, too, I can tell. It has been great for his self-confidence. He is the boy who would never even place his own order at McDonalds, remember.

He is a kind soul, Sam is. He wasn't afraid to tell me how much he missed all of us, and how hard those first weeks were. He called his sisters and talked to them, and to Benjamin. He can't wait until June, he graduates, and comes home for a week of leave!!!! Paul and I are traveling to Georgia again, and bringing him back with us. He got his Duty Assignment, he is officially going to be in the Old Guard, and stationed in Virginia. Perhaps he will guard the president:)

Jonathan and Charlotte Claire and Camille were real sports about visiting Sam. They have this enthusiasm about things, the girls picked up leaves from under the tree and started playing Tree Farm. We were at the base for three full days, with not exactly loads to do for little kids, but they made due. They brought four Barbies and some little bears, and spread it all out on the floor of the reception building where we sat and visited, and belted out, "Let It Go", oblivious to the smirking soldiers. Camille showed Sam how she does push-ups at one point....T They took a few naps....
Miss Char....

Miss Camille....

Charlotte turned 8 on Sunday, and spent her birthday there visiting Sam at the base. We bought her a package of Twizzlers. She already had a birthday party last week, so she was fine. :) And, we let her choose between McDonalds and Wendy's on the way home from Georgia.

Anyway. It was a nice little vacation. We are home now, and I am taking a break from unpacking and doing laundry. Evelyn made me coffee, Joseph served it to me....

Joe is a nice boy.

Paul is at the mall picking up his new glasses. He took Suzanne and Sonja with him, and is stopping at the store to get stuff for taco salad for dinner.

So back to normal now....did I mention how nice it was to see the rest of the kids?