First Birthday without Mom

[mom14]

My DS is a C4C at USAFA and a week ago today celebrated his first birthday away from home. We shipped a box with gifts and half of two different flavored cakes. His sister was once again thrilled to bake his cakes for him. And one of his friends bought him a cake at Wal-Mart the night before! We had a chance to Skype which was like a slice of Heaven! He told us he went to church that morning and they played a hymn that is a favorite and has special fun meaning to us. He said that made him really want to be home. I had been having a hard time all day and that really hit me. Fortunately his spring break plans fell through and he is coming home

 

[Lee2015]

So glad I read this thread this evening. My baby girl's 18th birthday is in a few days and I know it will be our last one together for the next few years at least. Your messages have reminded me to cherish these moments. Poor girl is going to get smothered and pampered to death. Thanks for sharing.

Reading this thread, I realized that I'm in the same boat as you . My baby's 18th birthday is this Friday. We'll make it extra special~but I'm still numb with the understanding that this too will be her last one at home for a while.

For some reason, she has always wanted one of those edible arrangements, so next year I'll finally have a reason to send her one.

Happy Birthday my sweet little angel

 

[El Bombero Jr.]

Hey parents...

When I headed to Northwestern Prep (in 1978 it was in Mound, MN) I had my first birthday away from mom.

EVERY birthday she made me her "sour cream pound cake" and I LOVE it!!

So there I was in Mound, MN...and on my birthday this HUGE box arrived. So my roommates and I thought: "What the ???"

So I opened it and it smelled of...popcorn! Another of my most favorite foods. There was this HUGE "lawn and leaf" bag in this box (I said it was a HUGE box)...with a note (in my father's hand...he and I always did popcorn together): "OPEN THIS FIRST!" So I did...it was FILLED with fresh (well a couple days old but popcorn is sorta like a twinkie) salted popcorn!!!

YUM!!!

And while we munched...we found this BIG "aluminum foil wrapped package" and it was CLEAR by the Bundt pan shape...

It was a POUND CAKE!!!

And a note was attached...

"You didn't think I'd forget, did you?"
(yep, in mom's handwriting)

That was in 1978.

I received a pound cake on every birthday from that year until 2008, no matter where I was. I had one delivered in Saudi Arabia during Desert Shield, and many other places around the world. Sadly it ended when I lost my mom to cancer in 2009.

My birthday cake from 2008 lasted until 2010.

Just because "they're" not at home, doesn't mean you can't still have that connection.

I had it for 31 years, 30 in uniform. Could it have been any better?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

What the heck is a sour cream pound cake?

 

[flieger83]

"...what the heck is a sour cream pound cake?"

Nectar of the Gods!

It's a pound cake that is unique, heavy yet with a light flavor, not that powdery consistency you get in a store-bought cake, coarse, with a hint of vanilla, and yet a subtle "something" that just makes it melt in your mouth...

You'd just have to have it to understand...

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[LineInTheSand]

I kept forgetting my birthday at CGA....except for 21....on that night I had to lock my door, shut the blinds and prepare (not for drinking...)




"Happy Birthday LITS...." at breakfast...

"Oh yeah, it is my birthday today, thanks!"

 

[scutrules]

I'm kinda worried about what might happen to me if I end up at a service academy... I have a July birthday, uh oh.

 

[scoutpilot]

Wow. Sometimes, it's good to look in the mirror and realize you're hanging on too tightly.

Somewhere, there's a parent whose child did not have the wherewithal to become an academy student. That child is celebrating his birthday in a fighting position in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. I'm sure his folks wish he was someplace safe and warm like a service academy to enjoy his birthday.

It's not that bad.

 

[jlbsmom]

Amen to that Scoutpilot!

 

[Lynpar]

It will much easier on my son, we are crappy parents! But I have so enjoyed the stories and the suggestions I have read. It also gives me an opportunity to ask my kid what he wants as far as cards, letters and such. He was away for 5 months during his Junior year (he rarely called, Grr) but we both found out we could survive and grow up especially while taking advantage of meaningful opportunites. I would have loved more contact but it is amazing how much he grew up while he was away. He knows he has my life-long support but also knows how to rely on himself and select new mentors to gather strength and support from in any new environment. I have never been the cake baking mom but have envied (a little) those who are. But I have managed to raise a very independent kid who is "rebelling by conforming". ~ his words.