I love you too, Mom.
October 18, 2007|
So this week was really a crappy one and I'm so happy to have it over with.
Lancelot has been traveling and I've been making do with the cat and the dog for companionship. It's okay, honestly..they're pretty good companions and God knows, I'm not complaining.
This morning, I picked up my daughter at the train station. I was so looking forward to seeing her. I miss my kids. I really do and am so happy when they come home for a visit.
Light twin and I went to lunch, came home and chatted awhile. She then went off to get a haircut and I had a little time to myself. Regrouping for me and renewing for her..it was all good. Afterwards, we ordered chinese and had a good time just visiting with each other.
And then her brother came home..unexpectedly...
He is a handsome guy, my boy. He is a Reserve Marine and his unit is getting ready to be activated in December. He came home to go to drill.
I poked my head in his room as he was getting ready for drill and in silhouette, I saw his father. Of course, it wasn't but I saw so much of his dad in that shadow. There he was in his utilities..young, strong and sure of himself.
He had so little time to talk to me. I had to follow him around just to get a sense of what was going on.. There is a part of being a military mom that tells you to just let go, go with things and not expect too much. You'll surely be disappointed if you do expect more than the little you get. They are busy.
He's leaving now and I make him give me a hug. This strong, tall young man. This man that used to be such a sweet, happy little boy. The little baby who used to jump up and down in his crib when I came in to get him up in the morning. I miss that little guy.
I love those hugs and I love that young MAN that gives them to me but he's in a hurry and he has to go.
As he's going down the front steps to his car, I yell," I love you, son."
He looks back up and says,"I love you too, Mom."
We have miles to go before we sleep.
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Awwwwwww.
Posted by: airforcewife | 10/18/2007 at 19:34
OMG.
Have I been there.
I can recall sneaking into the bedroom to kiss my sleeping sons on the cheek because it was the only time they were 'defenseless'. And even then you'd be taken aback by the razor stubble on their cheeks.
Boys are so precious. They are like artichokes - so prickly on the outside but you know if you could just get past that tough exterior there is still that tender inside that you ache as a mother to see glimpses of but dare not expose. Damn.
I'm crying. We pour so much love into our sons. I guess the payback is watching them lavish it on their wives and babies :) And eventually, they do get a clue. My boys have finally started to call their Mom.
It's nice, when it happens, and I treat them like deer. I never want to scare them off, because I can never forget what it felt like to scoop them up in my arms at the end of the day, all pink and rosy and sweet smelling from their baths, clamoring for a bedtime story. In a few weeks my first grandson will be born and I'll get to watch it all again, secondhand.
Posted by: Cassandra | 10/18/2007 at 20:00
Thank you, Cassandra. I like the artichoke and deer analogies. I agree. They grow up too fast.
Posted by: Joyce | 10/18/2007 at 20:40
I need to remember to treasure my little boy while he is little and not take him for granted. I feel bad my dh misses all of this.
Posted by: phyllis | 10/18/2007 at 23:39
SemperFi Wife, You are such a strong wife and mother. So hard to hold on, so hard to let go. I'm sure you are very proud of his being a marine reservist. However, it must be so hard to have two of your men in the military.
This past summer, we were at the Navy reserve center and the Sea Cadets were there. The one retired Chief who works with the cadets, came up to my teenage daughter and was trying to recruit her. I think I literally wrapped my arms around her and pulled her back. Don't get me wrong, I am so proud of my hubby and proud he is serving his country in Iraq. But I am not strong enough to give up two to the military. I realize that someday she may make that decision regardless of my thoughts on it. Just not yet, not while her cheeks are still young and rosy and her hair is in it's ever present ponytail.
Posted by: SeabeeSeniorWife | 10/18/2007 at 23:43
How sweet!
Can only imagine the pride you felt when you saw him like that.
My son is only 15 months old but he is growing up way too fast.
Posted by: Army Blogger Wife | 10/18/2007 at 23:47
WHAT????????? I won't be the center of his universe forever? I refuse to believe this and you all need to stop trying to disillusion me. Stubble? On my baby boys? Isn't it bad enough I've had to go through the *cough, spurt* training bra thing with my daughter? When will the torture end? Oh my, I think I need a cold compress, I'm feeling a little faint.
Posted by: Shanna | 10/19/2007 at 02:05
Oh, very good post. An excellent reminder to cherish each day. This is hard to remember when "She-Who-Has-No-Off-Button" has been entertaining the masses with her demonstrations of how she can "talk to dolphins" -- the complete vocabulary for which encompasses a full three aisles in the commissary on payday. (Yep, that was awesome, Honey. Do dolphins ever whisper? They do? Oh cool, show me how that sounds....) I know, though, that all too soon, it will be too quiet in my house and I, like you now, will have miles to go before I sleep.
Posted by: Sly2017 | 10/19/2007 at 02:05
That brought actual tears to my eyes. My little guy is 4 years old. With a teenager in the house I know he'll be taller than me before I know it...
The shadow of your husband - young and strong - what an image!
Posted by: wendy | 10/19/2007 at 03:32
Oh, SFW, this made me cry and I don't even have children.
But I do know this - "that little guy" you miss is still in there.
Posted by: MaryAnn | 10/19/2007 at 05:58
I think this is my favorite one, yet SemperFi Wife. Make sure you save this one. I don't know if you have a folder for your best work - I wish I had started that when I started writing, but I never thought to do that. Please do that now, and put this one in it :)
Posted by: Cassandra | 10/19/2007 at 06:06
SFW, I know the feeling of looking at your grown son and feeling your chest so full of pride and love that it feels it's going to burst! That single moment makes life worth living, no matter what else is going on.
Posted by: Calico | 10/19/2007 at 07:51
Awesome post! Brought tears to my eyes... I can not imagine what it's like to be a milSPOUSE and a milMOM. God bless ya, woman!
Posted by: Joan D'Arc | 10/19/2007 at 09:57
Thanks for the support!! It was certainly one of THOSE moments and I was glad that I had Spousebuzz so that I could share it. This was very therapeutic.:)
Posted by: Semper Fi Wife | 10/19/2007 at 14:51
I laughed so hard reading Shanna's comment :p
It does come, all too soon. But there is something wonderful, too, about having your grown son wrap his big strong arms around you for no reason.
Reminds me of that book I saw at a baby shower years ago. After my time, but I will buy it for my daughter in law. I'm sure you've seen it - it's the one where the mother is rocking the baby boy and crooning:
"I love you forever
I love you for always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be"
The little boy grows up and the mother sneaks into his room as he grows and whispers those lines to him, long after he is too big to need her.
At the end of the book she is very old and frail. He is grown and he comes to visit her and gently cradles her in his arms and whispers to her:
"I love you forever
I love you for always
As long as I'm living
My Mommy you'll be"
Yeah. It's sappy as hell. And I can never think of it without tearing up.
Posted by: Cassandra | 10/19/2007 at 20:59
"She-Who-No-Off-Button"'s last teacher reads this story to each and every class every year on the last day of school. And yeah, there isn't a dry eye in the room there, either.
Posted by: Sly2017 | 10/19/2007 at 21:36
Beautiful, SFW. I could see it all... Just beautiful.
Posted by: FbL | 10/20/2007 at 00:13