17TexasMom
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2012
- Messages
- 65
What a wonderful experience we had. I will admit that I was anxious to see my DS and a bit fearful that once away from fellow plebes and "uppers" that the chin would quiver and I would hear the dreaded truth – BUT it DID NOT happen. He is solid...and “motivated”! I wouldn’t say that he LOVES being a plebe, but he sees beyond the present discomforts to the expected grace of being “recognized” and eventually being an “upper”. Most of his complaints are about the misbehaviors and unhappiness of some of his fellow classmen that he views as “dragging things down".
But back to the delights of the weekend: I was there early to see the raising of the flag and stood around the grinder waiting to get the first glimpse of my DS. He had changed since July, it is hard to believe, but he looks larger, stands taller and GOSH, the boy in the uniform would sweep any “momma” off her feet. Tears welled at bit when he was finally able to put his arms around me for that first hug. I didn’t “break down”, though because time was short and we were off together for a day on campus. I enjoyed going to class with him, I attended his English and NS class. Both were led by engaging
instructors/professors and I was pleased with the level of thoughtfulness and insight that both of them seemed to have and were attempting to impart to the students. Class size is AWESOME! My two older children attended state universities so I know that freshman class size these days is overwhelming! We are so blessed that this young man can have a quality education with the individual attention that I see at USMMA.
The campus is beautiful! I sent pictures back to the older siblings of the Long Island Sound as “little brother’s back yard". He is enjoying his backyard, too. The Texas raised, land locked young man has joined the sailing team and LOVES being on a sail boat. He admits that he only went to the waterfront because of the strong encouragement from his parents, but is so glad that he did.
Saturday was an emotional day filled with the initial joy of seeing DS in dress whites, the tremendous event of the “swearing in” ceremony followed by “waiting at the grinder” to see the plebes receive the “sea chicken”. Then I got to pin it on his chest. WOW!! I understand the symbolism is that the Mother is releasing the child to the world (and the military), and it was not lost on me as I fumbles with his shirt to put that on his chest. He was such a “rock” though, he stood, almost at attention, with his rifle at his side, set jaw, and answered “Yes, Ma’am”, “Yes, Ma’am”, “Yes, Ma’am”, to my questions: “Do you know the significance of this pin?”, “Do you know how proud I am of you?”, and “Do you realize just how much I love you?”, all the while tears are streaming down my face (thank goodness for sunglasses).
After several pictures, we were off to see the barracks; DS was a great tour guide showing every drawer and folded item in detail, with a litany of descriptions about proper folding, and how to dress. He would have never paid that much attention to me on the details of anything, three months ago. It is an interesting change that I see in him.
The football game was fun and the come-from-way-behind win was thrilling. The best part of the weekend was to take him off campus and to spend time, with family, at dinner and then just him and me for a while at the hotel. He slept in, had a long shower and we had another family meal (Sunday Brunch) and then he wanted to get back on campus to prepare for the next week.
Saying “good-by” was easier than I had expected, because I am finally comfortable that he is happy and where he is ”meant to be”. That is all a parent can hope to carry away with them.
Above, I did not mention the “prepaid” meals that we had on campus, but I will say that they were “disappointing”, but overall, the weekend was AMAZING, and I really wasn’t there for the food.
17TexasMom
But back to the delights of the weekend: I was there early to see the raising of the flag and stood around the grinder waiting to get the first glimpse of my DS. He had changed since July, it is hard to believe, but he looks larger, stands taller and GOSH, the boy in the uniform would sweep any “momma” off her feet. Tears welled at bit when he was finally able to put his arms around me for that first hug. I didn’t “break down”, though because time was short and we were off together for a day on campus. I enjoyed going to class with him, I attended his English and NS class. Both were led by engaging
instructors/professors and I was pleased with the level of thoughtfulness and insight that both of them seemed to have and were attempting to impart to the students. Class size is AWESOME! My two older children attended state universities so I know that freshman class size these days is overwhelming! We are so blessed that this young man can have a quality education with the individual attention that I see at USMMA.
The campus is beautiful! I sent pictures back to the older siblings of the Long Island Sound as “little brother’s back yard". He is enjoying his backyard, too. The Texas raised, land locked young man has joined the sailing team and LOVES being on a sail boat. He admits that he only went to the waterfront because of the strong encouragement from his parents, but is so glad that he did.
Saturday was an emotional day filled with the initial joy of seeing DS in dress whites, the tremendous event of the “swearing in” ceremony followed by “waiting at the grinder” to see the plebes receive the “sea chicken”. Then I got to pin it on his chest. WOW!! I understand the symbolism is that the Mother is releasing the child to the world (and the military), and it was not lost on me as I fumbles with his shirt to put that on his chest. He was such a “rock” though, he stood, almost at attention, with his rifle at his side, set jaw, and answered “Yes, Ma’am”, “Yes, Ma’am”, “Yes, Ma’am”, to my questions: “Do you know the significance of this pin?”, “Do you know how proud I am of you?”, and “Do you realize just how much I love you?”, all the while tears are streaming down my face (thank goodness for sunglasses).
After several pictures, we were off to see the barracks; DS was a great tour guide showing every drawer and folded item in detail, with a litany of descriptions about proper folding, and how to dress. He would have never paid that much attention to me on the details of anything, three months ago. It is an interesting change that I see in him.
The football game was fun and the come-from-way-behind win was thrilling. The best part of the weekend was to take him off campus and to spend time, with family, at dinner and then just him and me for a while at the hotel. He slept in, had a long shower and we had another family meal (Sunday Brunch) and then he wanted to get back on campus to prepare for the next week.
Saying “good-by” was easier than I had expected, because I am finally comfortable that he is happy and where he is ”meant to be”. That is all a parent can hope to carry away with them.
Above, I did not mention the “prepaid” meals that we had on campus, but I will say that they were “disappointing”, but overall, the weekend was AMAZING, and I really wasn’t there for the food.
17TexasMom
And as they go along you will really feel more confident. My most recent experience? DS, a 2013 grad, has been on our Master Card since high school. Never abused it, but it did come in handy on occasion. We just received the renewal card and asked him whether he wanted to stay on our card - and he said "no." He's ready to go on his own.