The Latest

We were out in the backyard, chasing Patrick's pup, the affable, mischievous Tiger, around the neighbor's yard. We got the little (55 lbs./ 6 months old) twit, hustled him inside, administered a good talking to, and put him in his room... a doggie time-out was in order. He's become quite the escape artist. And damned if we hadn't missed two calls from Patrick!

Fortunately he called a bit later and we had a great talk. Enough time to ask questions we kept forgetting, to find out his schedule after graduation, to just talk. It was great.

He's doing well. His platoon was out in the field all week doing "soldier stuff", and Patrick was damned happy with that! He's developing a deeper reliance on his buddies. Shared hardship! Monday (16-Oct) starts "White Phase". A bit less "in your face" approach, more focus on soldiering skills. He met Miss America the past week as well. She must be a brave woman to venture into BCT territory. We received pics from his CO of the event! Those are some lucky young men for sure!

Next week has more "soldier stuff" in store. His weapons training during the past week seemed to go very well and he had a confident tone about his qualification on Wednesday 18-Oct. In addition to qualifying he was expecting more time with their weapons, some time with M4s and M16s with optics. Some realistic weapons work, including urban settings...I think. He's received his orders to report to Fort Huachuca for training as a 97E. Knowing that he didn't somehow get his MOS changed is a big relief!

We've got our hotel reservations, our flight is booked, the rental car is reserved and we are counting the days (34)! I asked Patrick what he wanted for graduation. I had to get the process in motion as Patrick has rarely been a kid who wants "stuff". It took endless prodding to get out of him what he wanted when he graduated from High School (we got him a SOG Recon Bowie- just what all the other kids got). After asking the question a couple of times he came up with an answer- "I just want some of my own stuff again." Further prodding, with a suggestion this time, revealed that a Multi-Tool may serve him well.

Patrick's on his way, he's becoming his own man and we're extremely proud...and trying to get used to this huge change in our lives. Simply put, he does not live here any more...it sucks, but it's real. It is what Patrick has wanted for many years. We'll adjust, all parents do. Children grow up, they leave home and make a life for themselves. It is, they say, the natural order of things. But as a military parent I can tell you the time from "leaving the nest" to "left the nest" is a fraction of the typical college experience. There are no weekend laundry runs, no cruising home for a good meal, not every holiday is a weekend at the folks, summer is just another season for them and it no longer has the word "vacation" attached to it...no, these kid's, these young men and women, lead serious lives, they have immediate impact, they are doing this for US...

Bless them all!