It's been quite a journey already since Cael enlisted in the Marine Corps, and it's barely begun. He left on the 27th of November and is now a Marine recruit entrenched in a new way of life... and so then are we. Each day there is a lot to think about. A lot to pray about. A lot to hope for. And a whole lot to figure out. I am just happy that he has been able to experience this. After his 3 months of training in boot camp, after he has been strengthened as well as humbled, I look forward to seeing Cael receive the honor that he will have earned, the honor that comes with the title, Marine.
Oh my gosh! I just went to the mailbox and there was an envelope with a Marine logo in Cael's handwriting. It is a page and a half on Marine notepaper. I yelled out loud, I was so excited! It begins... "Well hello, holy crap this stuff is insane..." Maybe that gives you an idea of how it's going there. I can't explain how exciting it is to hear from him. When you don't know, you imagine all sorts of stuff good and bad. Apparently the Drill Instructors are as demanding as you might expect, but he says he respects that they are trying to train he and his platoon. That's good news. So there it is for today - and now... I'm going to go and read my letter a couple dozen more times...
Thanks so much for your comment on my blog! You have beautiful kids!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first experience with a child leaving home, and I'm afraid I'm not handling it well. We have a lot of Marine Corps experience, it's a way of life for us, but still it feels like this hit me by suprise. I hope you are doing well, and I am so so jealous that you got a letter!!!!!!!!!!
you came through loud and clear....glad you heard from Cael. (mk)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my site too. I couldn't believe I got a letter myself. He did tell me in large letters to write everyday and that it was training day 5 and the first chance he'd had to write. So it could be your son hasn't had a chance yet.
ReplyDeleteAnd I guess having experience with the Marine Corps is a whole different thing than watching those little boys in batman capes step out of our reach. I hope you all hear some news soon!