Sending your MIDN back to The Yard...

UHBlackhawk said:
To the OP. Not to minimize the hurt, but it’s good training. At some point they will go on a deployment, perhaps even to a combat zone. That’s a gut punch. Putting on a brave face but dying inside. I remember thinking after my last mission into Iraq, “At least my kids won’t have to come here.” Twelve years later…
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I couldn't agree more, thanks for your insight.
 
NavyHoops said:
Plebe year is probably when you will see them the most. They eventually will say they are skiing for 5 days off Xmas with their buddies!
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Yup! It happens!

DS is off skiing with shipmates at this very moment (albeit, just two hours away and they borrowed DW’s car to get there, and had DW’s homemade lasagne for dinner last night). Two years ago, it was scuba diving with teammates over spring break.

I call it a “soft launch” — good for the mid, good for the parents.
 
NavyHoops said:
I have said over and over… that being an athlete at a SA is a choice, but just think some did not get to go home and others less than a handful of days. So, it can be worse! There are International Mids who can’t afford to go home. There are even a few Mids who can’t afford to or don’t have the family dynamics that support them going home. So as hard as it is to see them go, thanks for giving them a chance to decompress and a place to relax. Plebe year is probably when you will see them the most. They eventually will say they are skiing for 5 days off Xmas with their buddies!
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Very true, this is something I have reminded myself of (that many Mids got less or no time away with family). Definitely, we are fortunate.
 
We can’t really splurge on trips or travel but food is my love language. My DS has planned dinners, shopped for them, helped me cook them and shoveled them down in astonishing quantities. His solo act was a spot on orange chicken with rice and caramelized pineapple. To die for.

Last night was my French onion braised short ribs with creamy Parmesan Reggiano polenta. And he wanted and cooked cast iron Brussels sprouts with BACON.

Tonight, we made traditional Posole- complete with steeping guajillo chiles and all the yummy toppings.

He said tonight he’s ready to go back. Knows the schedule will be tough but ready to be back with his people and his coursework.

He’s got plans for somewhere far away he’s never been with other MIDN for spring break. I am so happy he is doing this that I cannot be sad we won’t see him. This soft and slow launch with all the pitfalls and trials and patriotic allergies really get a mom ready for what is to come. I am grateful.
 
My DS station many miles away at an Army post left a few hour ago at 3am, there is not anxiety anymore but emptiness, Christmas break came and left, I gladly took the extra loads of laundry and the dirty dishes left in the kitchen sink. My husband gave him a ride to the airport and they did not wake me up, I open the door of his room to find an undone bed with sheets folded on top, it was empty, the big bulky green duffel back was not there. I know their intentions were good, to let me sleep a little longer, but I’m so sad that I was not able to hug him goodbye.
Soon my oldest will head to the Yard and altought there are many things planned I can’t help but feel a hole in the chest when I see the day draw closer.
We are happy to become a family serving our Country and oh boy! We are proud of their achievements, reflecting what they got at home. But missing that last hug this morning really broke my soul.
 
Goal2004 said:
My DS station many miles away at an Army post left a few hour ago at 3am, there is not anxiety anymore but emptiness, Christmas break came and left, I gladly took the extra loads of laundry and the dirty dishes left in the kitchen sink. My husband gave him a ride to the airport and they did not wake me up, I open the door of his room to find an undone bed with sheets folded on top, it was empty, the big bulky green duffel back was not there. I know their intentions were good, to let me sleep a little longer, but I’m so sad that I was not able to hug him goodbye.
Soon my oldest will head to the Yard and altought there are many things planned I can’t help but feel a hole in the chest when I see the day draw closer.
We are happy to become a family serving our Country and oh boy! We are proud of their achievements, reflecting what they got at home. But missing that last hug this morning really broke my soul.
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Hugs to you. Totally get it. I’m sure we all do. Emptiness is a great explanation.

I’ve got two heading back. Numerically it’s half my offspring, but in reality, they represent most of the life in our home (oldest two are grown and flown). They both leave me.

We just pulled in from a family vacation. So much bonding. Laughing. All together. Now the sea bags are being gathered. Emails double checked. Haircuts. Those are the things that get to me in waves of emotion….the shift of gears.

*sigh* until next time, boys!! It’ll be an exciting semester. And will FLY BY.
 
With all 4 at home right now (soon to be 22 and 19, a 15 year old, and a 3 year old), the house is full and crazy. Even if the soon-to-be 19 year old goes to the USNA, it is 40 minutes from the house, and his grandparents still live in Annapolis. He currently has his car at UMBC (25 minutes away), and comes home periodically anyway.

So I'm not getting the same effect as those who have to send their kids back across the country! In fact, I wish the two older ones would just get out of the house. :zip:
 
Heatherg21 said:
He’s got plans for somewhere far away he’s never been with other MIDN for spring break. I am so happy he is doing this that I cannot be sad we won’t see him. This soft and slow launch with all the pitfalls and trials and patriotic allergies really get a mom ready for what is to come. I am grateful.
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DS will not be home due to a tour and he is talking about doing summer school so it may be awhile before he gets home. Luckily, during Spring break tour he will be close enough for us to see him for a few hours. We also plan a DC visit for April during DD high school spring break so we can take a jaunt over to the Yard. Even though he won't have town liberty we can still find time to be with him and bring in some food. If he decides on summer school then we plan to vacation around Annapolis and stop in when he is free.

All this is prep for when he is on long deployments and then won't want to come home when he has leave.
 
LT360 said:
DS will not be home due to a tour and he is talking about doing summer school so it may be awhile before he gets home. Luckily, during Spring break tour he will be close enough for us to see him for a few hours. We also plan a DC visit for April during DD high school spring break so we can take a jaunt over to the Yard. Even though he won't have town liberty we can still find time to be with him and bring in some food. If he decides on summer school then we plan to vacation around Annapolis and stop in when he is free.

All this is prep for when he is on long deployments and then won't want to come home when he has leave.
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It's all great practice. Our DS did 2 elective summer classes last summer, and an international USNA sponsored trip and PROTRAMID, so we saw him for 5 days at home. But, it was a great opportunity for his MIDSIB to head to Annapolis and visit him and tour DC for the first time. There are positives to all of this, that is for sure.
 
My mid always seems to have the 6:00AM flight out and we live about an 45 minutes away from the airport. So, it will be a 3:30 wakeup, 3:45 on the road and drop him off at the airport. But before he leaves, he always writes a handwritten letter to his mom that he folds very neatly and has me put it on the bed for her to find when she comes back from the airport. Great....now I have the allergies again.
 
I’ kept print material that resonated with me while on active duty and came across this 1980’s WSJ ad while cleaning out my garage last fall. Parents, it may be tough seeing your Mid head back this week but stay engaged and maybe add something new to your routine.

Get out of that rut.jpg
 
IronmanDaremo said:
With all 4 at home right now (soon to be 22 and 19, a 15 year old, and a 3 year old), the house is full and crazy. Even if the soon-to-be 19 year old goes to the USNA, it is 40 minutes from the house, and his grandparents still live in Annapolis. He currently has his car at UMBC (25 minutes away), and comes home periodically anyway.

So I'm not getting the same effect as those who have to send their kids back across the country! In fact, I wish the two older ones would just get out of the house. :zip:
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Bless your heart.
 
Heatherg21 said:
His solo act was a spot on orange chicken with rice and caramelized pineapple. To die for.

Last night was my French onion braised short ribs with creamy Parmesan Reggiano polenta.
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Mine went back Sunday but I'd love to try these for next time if wouldn't mind sharing the recipes!!
 
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