Followers

03 November 2008

Well So Much For Thanksgiving

At least, Plan A.

According to Army Regs, Michael can only be 8 hours away from post by car when he is on a Pass, which is what is being issued for Thanksgiving. We are 10 hours away. So no driving home and having Thanksgiving morning coffee together, etc.

Just when I thought I was handling him being at Ft. Sill.

Plan B could be driving down to Ft. Sill but there's that hateful issue of money.

Plan C could be meeting him half way and having Thanksgiving dinner together at a Golden Corral, turning around and each driving back to our residences.

I could tell in his voice tonight when he called me that he had something to tell me that he didn't want to tell and that I didn't want to hear. Suprisingly, I was very adult about it, blabbed something about how Christmas wasn't that far away, I was OK with him not coming home for Thanksgiving(this is the FIRST one we haven't been together in 23.5 years) and haven't cried...yet.

But the thought of him being at an Army post without family around on Thanksgiving just breaks my heart. I hope he's not the only one there.

Now I'm going to cry.

And yes, there are worse things in the world than not having your son with you on a holiday.

My head knows that.

But my heart hasn't figured it out yet.

I could probably handle it, but I'm not sure that he could.

Well, yes, he could.

I'd like to think he'd miss being with me as much as I would miss being with him.

But he's Uncle Sam's kid now and duty and country come first.

And I'm proud -very proud- of him.

The Ambien CR Kick In is running late tonight.

I just need to escape to nothingness for a few hours.

Don't forget to vote!

10 comments:

joanne said...

Ness---I'm proud of you...you're hanging in there much better than I could.

And I'm oh so proud of your son...he is quite a wonderful young man and I thank him for standing up for me.

God Bless your family...;)

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

It starts....and it will get easier but not any time soon.

I am so proud of all of you for rolling with the punches as much as you can.

God bless Ambien for allowing for some away time every once in awhile.

H

Laura ~Peach~ said...

what we do here... (military base here ) is the local people and churches and groups adopt the soldiers and we have a huge dinners for the ones who can not get home to be with their families that way NO ONE is left alone (unless they choose to be) but there are also dinners held on base too foor the guys who dont get leave. I wonder are there any OK blog buddies out there... If MIchael wa shere in Georgia I woudl drag him to my house then he could be with extended family and keep mama on the phone or puter with him :)
Hang in there ness I can only guess how hard to not be able to see him on the holidays...
Love you heaps
Jesus Juice being poured all over you :)

Alice said...

Oh, Ness. You remind me that the men and women who serve are the only ones who sacrifice. Their families do, too. Keep your chin up and know that I will be praying, praying, praying for you.

Tracy said...

Ness-
My computer has been giving me headaches lately so I a sorry I haven't been able to comment.

Just wanted to say I am with you and praying for you to stay strong.
Being a family member of a soldier is sometimes so hard-the sacrifices are great but I know how very proud you are, as you should be you have raised a wonderful son, man and soldier.
Thinking of you!
Tracy

dlyn said...

Aw - always hard when they are away the first time. Ellyn had to report for Basic 2 days before T-giving. It was tough. You guys will get through and be the stronger for it. There are many families near bases who invite service people home for dinner - maybe he will get an invite. Still hard with all you guys are dealing with these days. {{Ness}}

Debbie said...

I am sorry Ness, that Michael can't get home for Thanksgiving. My oldest daughter isn't going to be able to make it either. It's hard the 1st holiday, and I can't say it gets easier, it's just we accept it more, as the years pass that they can't come. He knows you love him, and I am sure he will miss Mom and her cooking this year. Christmas is hard for me, as usually none of the children can make it. It's hard being a Mama, Darn it!!
I know that you are proud of your son as we all are. Thank God for dedicated young men and women in our armed forces. I have 2 son in laws in the military.
ILY

God Bless~
Debbie

Steph said...

Ness,

I'm sorry that Michael will not be able to come home for Thanksgiving. You know that I'm just a phone call away if you need to talk. Keeping you all in my prayers.

Steph

Overflowing Brain said...

It's difficult and no one blames you or your son for being sad. That's normal normal normal.

This marks 2nd Thanksgiving in my life that I won't be home. Anyone who tells you that it gets easier is a liar, because it doesn't, you just learn to accept it. It's still difficult for me. There's no place I'd rather be than at my mom's house on November 27th, but what I'm doing and I'm sure your son will try to do, is remember how blessed we've been for the past 20+ years to be with our families.

Your son is doing something amazing, and so are you for letting him. Nothing we can say will make it feel better, but know that plenty of people hope that you and your family will find peace at Thanksgiving, even apart.

Tonjia said...

maybe he wont be alone. When Bre was at Lackland last year they had families who took Airmen into their homes for Thanksgiving, do they have something like that at Ft Sill?

Where is the base located in Oklahoma?