As the week draws near an end, I am filled with so many emotions. My heart is bursting with pride and also breaking at the same time. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I have NEVER gone more than a week or two without some type of communication with Trent in nearly 29 years! So, to say the transition will be strange is a understatement not just for me/us but for Trent as well I'm sure! I know he is about to begin the most rewarding journey of his life and will finish a strong, confident, mature man, and for that I am incredibly grateful. This experience is truly an answer to prayer.
The beginning of the week started with Trent being called into the office to complete another round of paperwork. He was advised by his recruiter this week should be low key. Workouts should be on his own and just enough to stay active but nothing strenuous. They want him rested and free of any muscle soreness upon his arrival to San Diego.
I received a call from him mid-week when he was commenting on how strange it felt to be packing up his things for storage. He knows it will be several months before any of those things are needed again. He will return for leave in July after boot camp for only 10 days. He will start the first 5 days in Traverse City with David and me and then finish the last 5 days in Freeland with is Dad and Anna. During his time in Freeland, he plans to attend warrior training with the recruits as a new Marine! Following his leave he will return to San Diego for infantry training.
As the week progressed, I immersed myself in reading & learning all I could about boot camp. I read and re-read numerous articles on RecruitParents.com. I joined Facebook pages and signed up for newsletters. Probably the most moving piece of information I encountered was a YouTube video I watched named Earning the Title Marine:
That video made me realize what this young man is about to endure and shed new light on how difficult the next thirteen weeks will be for him or anyone that chooses this path. WOW! As I watched the video, my anxiety level began to escalate and my eyes filled with tears and suddenly this momma bear wanted to protect her cub just like I did when he was a child! As the tears began to fall, I reminded myself what a heroic choice he has made to serve his country. My anxious tears turned to tears of pride, and my anxiety was subdued with thoughts of graduation. I also reminded myself that many young boys/men just like him have already completed this journey and survived it and he will too! I continue to focus on the positive and put my mothering instincts aside and face the reality Trent is no longer my baby but a MAN who will be honored for service to his country.
The work week ended with a phone call received by Trent from Washington D.C., the FBI to be exact! He was told to report to the office on Friday for a meeting with an FBI agent to discuss the last 7 years of his life. Trent followed up with a call to SGT. Parker asking him why he was being interviewed! He was informed that it is common for recruits to be randomly chosen for interviews. I was relived but still found it a bit unnerving to think about an FBI interview. He completed his interview and went home to watch the Master's and help prepare for his "Good Luck'" party.
Sunday he will arrive at the office at 11:00 a.m. to board the shuttle to Lansing. He has planned to spend Sunday afternoon/evening with his cousin Niki and her family. Being with family will help to keep him grounded and occupied versus spending his free time in the hotel. Two meetings are scheduled for Sunday evening, one just for Marine recruits and another for all recruits staying at the hotel. Monday morning he is out the door bright and early (6:30 a.m.) to be shuttled to MEPS. Upon arrival he will be sworn in again and at some point be shuttled to the airport for departure to San Diego. Thankfully, his Dad will arrive Monday morning to be with him as he prepares to embark on this journey. I wish I were going to be there as well to tell him in person how proud I am of him, but for now he will need to hear it in my voice and see me via Facetime as I wish him well and extend a virtual momma bear hug and kiss for luck!
And now, we count down the hours until he boards that bus for the airport on Monday...
I did not publish this post until today (Monday, April 11) after Trent was on his way even though I composed it on Saturday, April 9. I didn't want him to know the emotional roller coaster this has been for me, he didn't need to be concerned how I was feeling or how bittersweet this experience has been and will continue to be for me. This entire journey is about him as he makes his way to becoming the strong, confident man he is about to transform into.
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