July 23, 2008
Posted by Claire
Parting is such sweet sorrow
In this instance it really is a sweet sorrow. Toy Soldier is back at Post tonight and my couch is missing a potato! We had a very nice visit. A very nice, much needed, and deeply appreciated visit. One of my favorite things that we did was spend some nights just watching the different seasons of The Unit, and different movies. We would pop some good old corn and watch movies and chat. It was like a small piece of heaven if you want to know the truth. Don’t get me wrong we did other things too, but that was just such a nice, normal, and dull thing to do in comparison to the last 14-months of Iraq War stress.
Our parting is more sweet this time because I know he has a very full life scheduled for the next several months. He will start classes, be promoted, and have some other big life announcements to make. It’s sweet to hug his neck good-bye knowing that he faces the same risks as your average American at this point. No more, no less. Normal and unexciting is such a nice venue! I know, God willing, that I will see him again in December. We are planning ahead. He will be coming home to be a best man in his younger brother’s wedding. We will celebrate a wedding and Christmas together. These are the plans we talked about this visit.
We did talk about future deployments. We know they are coming. It’s inevitable. I know it will be hard, but I promised myself that I would only fret over the worries I have today. I am learning not to borrow that future trouble. I spent time fretting a year ago that he would come home badly wounded or worse. That time will never be given back to me, and it was spent worrying about something that never happened — and I am so incredibly grateful that it didn’t happen. I just wish I had spent the time I did in worry and fretting in a more constructive state of mind. I want to, so badly, learn from that experience. I am praying that it does not pass me by without changing something inside of me for the better.
10 Comments
July 23, 2008
Oh {{{{{{{{{{{{Claire}}}}}}}}}}}}}} THIS mother’s heart is with you all…. You KNOW this…love.
July 24, 2008
Oh, Claire, I’m so very glad the visit was wonderful and there was time to relax and just ‘be’. Life marches on as indicated by all the future plans listed and we all do our best to roll with the changes and hold our faith.
How could you not have spent time fretting during TS’s deplolyment? You’re human, a mom. It was a time, a time that now seems encapsulated like a trip into the twilight zone. You will be much better prepared for the next one, should that occur. And you know we’ll be right here with you. Like the soldiers, we must process the experience as well. There is no way to prepare for the roller coaster of emotion involved in a deployment, nor the time and emotions following a return. What a blessing for your family to see TS and hopefully replace some of that endless worry with his presence.
July 24, 2008
I am so glad that you were able to spend some wonderful quality time with him . Nothing like having them home safe. December will be here before you know it.
July 24, 2008
Knee Deep. I am a Viet Nam Era Vet (U.S. Army) and a Gulf War Veteran with the National Guard. I have been in pressure jobs all my career(Juvenile Officer/Child Abuse Investigatoe, Probation and Parole Officer and for the last 20 years Teaching and Coaching. Nothing, I mean nothing compares to having a son in a Combat Arms Unit in the thick of things. I fretted,went without sleep and I consider myself to be a strong person. The 30 days he was home was a little chaotic with all his Buds and their was a little to much partying. My Trooper the went back to his post for a few weeks and came home for a weekend. We just hung out!!! Me,him and his Mom. Hey,he called yesterday and told me to get some FSU tickets for me and himto go,just me and him!!! Oh,by the way I believe you were very constuctive!! Bulldog Out!!!
July 24, 2008
Claire – Did I miss something here???? Who is getting married???? Who do we owe congratulations to?
July 24, 2008
Thanks everyone… and Cathy, at one point I think in a post a long time ago I may have confessed that I worry that I worry too much! :8 Haha!! Maybe that’s what’s wrong with me! lol
Bulldog, I had no idea that you work those types of jobs in the civilian world. You and I have a lot in common. My first job out of college was working with violent and assaultive kids in mental health — then I worked with pediatric brain tumor patients and their families. I agree with your assessment… it is much harder dealing with your child in combat arms, for sure!
Kristen, Noah is engaged and will be married in December!
July 25, 2008
Claire and everyone,
I am so grateful to have found this site. My first born just joined the Army this year and is now being deployed to Afghanistan next month. She and I have went through some quick drastic changes this year and its catching up with me emotionally. She got married, left for bootcamp, and this was the first time she had lived away from home. And, now her husband deploys this Sunday to Afghanistan. She is at Ft Hood TX and I am 850 miles away. Soon to be thousands of miles away. Everyone is telling me to think positively. I am. I am praying and trying. But, I can’t help but grieve for that possible chance next week could be the last time I see her. And, with your website, I found that is a normal thing for a parent to do.
Thank you. May all our children be safe and come home to us soon.
July 25, 2008
Miz Claire,
But those memories of the movie nights are what will help you with the next deployment. The best memories! Kinda like “gotta make hay while the sun shines”….
Btw, ‘Mom’s’ the world over, worry that they worry too much. Yup, I’ve been a member for a very long time.
)
Lastly, “Congratulations” to Noah!
July 25, 2008
New Army Mom..had to reply to you…I TRULY believe there is no such thing as “coincidence” . That you have found the Hooah site at this time in your life is what I like to call one of God’s little Miracles.
You have come to the right place – and we WILL all get you through this. While not a military mum myself, I have been humbled to stand with quite a few of you. You are now part of a HUGE community that envelopes its own with love and support.
Ky???????? I don’t think there is such a thing as worrying too much as a mother.
I swear worrying is part of the universal motherhood DNA or something. Is what we do…BUT it is what we do with the worry that matters….:)
I have come to know that it really IS all about faith…faith..
Okay, getting off my motherhood soapbox now.;)
I am with you, Mrs Hooah. With love….
July 25, 2008
Okay I must have had a blonde moment I don’t remember hearing you “say” Noah was engaged. CONGRATS…..another daughter to add to the Hooah Clan how exciting. As for the Toy Solider I will keep him and the rest of you in my prayers daily. I am glad the visit went so well and will also being pray for your peace of mind and heart…..well and for you maybe to not worry so much
Do we ever stop worrying…..I think not and military families the more so I would say. Much love to all of the Hooah Clan!!!!! 
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.