It is possible to be over the top excited and scared and dreading it all at once. Probably common amongst plebe to be parents. I got through I-Day ok. Husband flew home. Daughter, Son, Daughter-in-law and I DROVE back to Texas......I guess having that to think about got me out of Annapolis ok.
And, although some advise against it, my husband and I walked to yard and walked on at 6 am. Not hunting for our son. But by the time we got to the far side of Farragut Field, here came the plebes, running. We ducked behind a tree and saw him. I tell you what made me feel good though, about his upcoming plebe summer: there were chaplains everywhere running with the plebes. Plebes in blue rim tees, cadre in yellow, chaplains in red, marked
CHAPLAIN on the back. And Capt Klunder, the Commadant, running right along with them (lapping some of them, I might add!) I just felt like, sure, plebe summer was gonna be challenging and grueling, but support was everywhere. Somehow made leaving him there easier.
Now, PPW was a different story. I went alone. Husband couldn't go, daughter had other commitments. We had a great three days together, he was proud to have survived most of plebe summer and was liking it. He went into Bancroft a bit early, didn't want to be running for the door late. I did the same the next morning, walked to the yard about 6 am for my morning walk and got a big thumbs up when he ran by. Went back to hotel, got set to leave, drove down and ran into mid store for one last thing. Bawled like a baby when I drove away from the yard toward BWI.
You will watch the Thornton Studios thing all summer each night looking for your plebe. Mine said he felt like they were in the zoo. I told him to smile sometime when he saw the cameras pointed his way. About 2 days after I got home there he was on the TS pages, with a huge funny face on, followed immediately by a picture of him struggling to recompose his face. I laughed til I cried. All was well.
I will tell you that unless you live near or can fly easily, they are gone. Unlike civilian college with a month off at Christmas (2 wks).......and you just cannot talk to them easily. I am lucky. Son lives on the side of Bancroft where cell service is good. =But they just don't have much time. Fortunately, our son likes it. Challenged, yes. Grueling at times, yes. Tough classes, yes. But he is where he belongs. My heart weeped for the moms whose children found their way to Tango Company over plebe summer and whose plebes didn't want to go back after Christmas. I am thankful mine is happy.
It is truly a roller coaster ride like none other. Carry Kleenex at all times. People asking me how my boy is doing can get me teared up. And I am not a weepy person. Yet, we are happy as can be with his choice and know he is as well. I warned my older son, who is first year vet student and newly wed, that I would likely be calling him more than I should during his first year of marriage because I couldn't call son at USNA! Recently we laughed together that it was indeed the case. Guess that was one of my survival mechanisms. Husband and I also started trying to get in better physical shape, walking, running almost daily. Figured if plebe was working his fanny off, we could do better, too. For the record, husband has done better than me. I do have "Anchors Aweigh" on my ipod and my cell phone ring tone for my mid. You want to know when it is them on the line. Sometimes I dive for the phone when that ring tone goes off!
And, although some advise against it, my husband and I walked to yard and walked on at 6 am. Not hunting for our son. But by the time we got to the far side of Farragut Field, here came the plebes, running. We ducked behind a tree and saw him. I tell you what made me feel good though, about his upcoming plebe summer: there were chaplains everywhere running with the plebes. Plebes in blue rim tees, cadre in yellow, chaplains in red, marked
CHAPLAIN on the back. And Capt Klunder, the Commadant, running right along with them (lapping some of them, I might add!) I just felt like, sure, plebe summer was gonna be challenging and grueling, but support was everywhere. Somehow made leaving him there easier.
Now, PPW was a different story. I went alone. Husband couldn't go, daughter had other commitments. We had a great three days together, he was proud to have survived most of plebe summer and was liking it. He went into Bancroft a bit early, didn't want to be running for the door late. I did the same the next morning, walked to the yard about 6 am for my morning walk and got a big thumbs up when he ran by. Went back to hotel, got set to leave, drove down and ran into mid store for one last thing. Bawled like a baby when I drove away from the yard toward BWI.
You will watch the Thornton Studios thing all summer each night looking for your plebe. Mine said he felt like they were in the zoo. I told him to smile sometime when he saw the cameras pointed his way. About 2 days after I got home there he was on the TS pages, with a huge funny face on, followed immediately by a picture of him struggling to recompose his face. I laughed til I cried. All was well.
I will tell you that unless you live near or can fly easily, they are gone. Unlike civilian college with a month off at Christmas (2 wks).......and you just cannot talk to them easily. I am lucky. Son lives on the side of Bancroft where cell service is good. =But they just don't have much time. Fortunately, our son likes it. Challenged, yes. Grueling at times, yes. Tough classes, yes. But he is where he belongs. My heart weeped for the moms whose children found their way to Tango Company over plebe summer and whose plebes didn't want to go back after Christmas. I am thankful mine is happy.
It is truly a roller coaster ride like none other. Carry Kleenex at all times. People asking me how my boy is doing can get me teared up. And I am not a weepy person. Yet, we are happy as can be with his choice and know he is as well. I warned my older son, who is first year vet student and newly wed, that I would likely be calling him more than I should during his first year of marriage because I couldn't call son at USNA! Recently we laughed together that it was indeed the case. Guess that was one of my survival mechanisms. Husband and I also started trying to get in better physical shape, walking, running almost daily. Figured if plebe was working his fanny off, we could do better, too. For the record, husband has done better than me. I do have "Anchors Aweigh" on my ipod and my cell phone ring tone for my mid. You want to know when it is them on the line. Sometimes I dive for the phone when that ring tone goes off!
, he stomped upstairs saying under his breath that he can't wait until I day. So, I understand the dread, vs. excitement. How do you all manage to keep it together for 2 more weeks without losing it?????
