This is all so very strange

B

BobBigBoy

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
148
The day always seemed so far away, now it is here. We always had more time, now we don't. Over the past month or so, we have been consumed with graduation, awards, parties and all of the other activities that distracted us from the harsh reality that our daughter is going to leave us. Never again will it be the same as it has been for the last 17 1/2 years as our little girl will now become a young woman beginning with this new stage of her life. The door on childhood is closing and the new door of adulthood is opening. Most parents of the class of 2016 are heavily involved in the lives of our children's...it is going to be so very hard for all of us to fill the void that was such a huge part of our existence. I know it is a part of life, I know it is an eventuality but my heart doesn't want it to be. My prayer is that I don't completely lose it, roll over in a fetal position in a hysterical state and make a total fool of myself as she walks up those stairs.

Best of luck to all over the next few weeks as I am sure there will be many tears shed as we grasp our new reality.
 
You'll lose it for sure! A lot of us have lost it watching our DS/DD ascend those stairs. Two years ago my wife was stoic but I was glad to have dark glasses and plenty of kleenex. The next thing I realize is that I'm meeting General Gould and his wife Paula. Paula was extremely friendly and said you "can get one more hug when he comes down the stairs" on the other side of the room. However, our son came down the stairs and zipped out the door. We watched from afar as he was led over the bridge and onto the bus. It's quite a feeling to see the bus door close and watch it slowly roll out of the parking lot. Thank God for the Colorado Parents Club picnic...a great opportunity to eat, relax, meet people, and gather your bearings. However, I recommend spending a hour or so afterwards watching the T'zo from the chapel wall. The sights and sounds are interesting and certainly nothing like the first day at Big School State.
 
BobBigBoy...my daughter is a C3C, class of 2015. I remember the feelings that I had one year ago at this time. I was so excited for her to start living her dream. I dropped her off at the airport on Wednesday morning. She didn't see my tears, I was able to hold them until she passed through security...and then they let loose. I watched her for as far as my eyes could see. I was so thankful for Webguy photos....I hope you are signed up! It will be a while before you see a smile (they really shouldn't let the cadre see them smile too much...could get some extra attention). My first smile was a pic that I saw on July 4.

Suggestions: sign up for Webguy on the AOG website for sure...it's priceless
If you are on facebook, there are some parents groups...wonderful support.
Search on facebook for : My Life is Cadet Parent: USAFA Parents United
I think there is also a 2016 Parents facebook page.

My best to the Class of 2016
 
A Fine Line

We all know the fine line between crying and laughter and no place else have I ever felt both at the same time then at Doolittle on I Day 2 years ago. The smiles were all out front, the tears were just behind my eyeballs, sharing his excitement to get on with the day, yet wanting everything to slow down, give me a chance to catch my breath, but this train was going a thousand miles hour and all I could do was hang on and be positive and give all that energy to him...... I took a picture as he was getting on the bus that morning at 0922 hours and told him to smile because it might be a few days before he would smile again, we laughed and he was gone. I sat on a bench at Doolittle not wanting to leave, wanting it all back, wanting to do it all over again, but I knew that this was his time and I would do all I could to support his dreams with his permission. I went to The Chapel and at 1445 hours saw him in his ABU's marching across the Tzo.
Today he is just as excited if not more then he was 2 years ago, looking forward to his next challenge...Greeting the class of 2016 as one of their Cadre.
Now he shares some of his dream with me... Go USAFA, GO FALCONS, MAKE IT A GOOD AIR FORCE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Yrs ago, I cried a lot before DS1 graduated HS...1st child, OMG. Seriously, alot, Bullet swore I would be a chocolate mess. Graduation day rolled around and I cried maybe a few tears. DS opted AFROTC scholarship over AFA, but still OOS. I didn't cry until we walked back to the car.

My point is you are emotionally letting it go now, and don't be shocked if on I-Day, the only tears you cry are a few due to pride.

It is hard to let go, but those that admit how hard it will be IMPO have already emotionally addressed the situation, and that day is filled with more smiles than tears.

FWIW, my tears didn't come from watching him leave us, but Bullet grabbing my hand and seeing him tear up.
 
Word of advice: Do NOT go to sleep!!!

If you do; you'll wake up and you'll be going to the academy for "Graduation".

That's exactly what happened to me. I went to the state High School 5A football state championship to watch my son. After they won, I went to bed, woke up, and was taking him to the academy. Went back to sleep, woke up, and he received his pilot slot. Went back to sleep, woke up, and drove down there for his academy graduation.

And the older you get, the FASTER it all goes by. Best of luck. Mike....
 
Pima said:
FWIW, my tears didn't come from watching him leave us, but Bullet grabbing my hand and seeing him tear up.
Click to expand...

Come on, Pima! It was an outdoor ceremony, so it was the allergies, I swear! If you saw any tears that day, it was because I thought to myself "one down, only two more to keep paying for!"

Sheesh, can't a guy just want hold hands with his sweat-heart without having her rush out to tell everyone how big a softie he is? :biggrin:
 
Christcorp said:
Word of advice: Do NOT go to sleep!!!

If you do; you'll wake up and you'll be going to the academy for "Graduation".

That's exactly what happened to me. I went to the state High School 5A football state championship to watch my son. After they won, I went to bed, woke up, and was taking him to the academy. Went back to sleep, woke up, and he received his pilot slot. Went back to sleep, woke up, and drove down there for his academy graduation.

And the older you get, the FASTER it all goes by. Best of luck. Mike....
Click to expand...

No words written could be more true.
 
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