I had no idea when I opened Blogger and first began to type my gut into this electronic medium…where it would end up. I had no idea the people I would meet. I had no idea the words I would read!
I digress (don’t you love those two words?)
Today is a celebration of John’s first year of Active Service in the United States Air Force! It is a celebration of my son achieving his dreams.
I’ve attached a couple of photos from one year ago:
John with his Recruiter, right before going to MEPS.
John "Swearing In" at MEPS just prior to departing for BMT at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX
John is finally able to relax following 6-1/2 weeks of BMT!
Here are my first words ever posted... the beginning of AirmanMom:
My baby.
Not anymore.
Seeing him yesterday at MEPS, so nervous yet excited was truly a vegetable soup of emotions as a mom. The pride in my heart is in conflict with a heavy heart. My head knows these next six and a half weeks will turn my 18 year old boy into a man in the blink of an eye. My son whom I have known for 18 years, will no longer be the same person. Of course my mind knows the obvious, he will grow to be a better person. However, my heart knows the door has closed on the chapter of being this boy's mom...it is truly time to step into the role of parent of an adult. Parent of a soldier.
Over the course of the next six years, my son will finally live his dream. He will be an airman in the United States Air Force. Despite the "uncoolness" for being patriotic, John has always held true to who he is. The depth of him, defines passion for our country. While other kids listened to all the rap and hip-hop...he loves to listen to Toby Keith sing of being true to our country. One of his favorite songs as a child has always been "God Bless the USA." John lives this song. He is now living this pride.
I love my baby. It is now time for the rest of the country to love and respect him as well. Many will never know his smiling eyes, but they will enjoy the freedoms he will fight to keep for all of us. Many will never know his quirky humor, but they will enjoy pride of being an American.
John, I am so deeply proud of you and I do love you so.
44 comments:
Congratulations to you and to your son!
I am so glad you decided to blog...even though I don't often comment I have enjoyed reading your posts. My nephew just finished boot camp and is now in Mississippi for 5months of training in air traffic control for the USAF. This gives me a little insight...thanks for sharing.
I'll try and be better about the comments! Take care j)
Congratulations to you and John.
I am so glad you joined the world of blogging. What would I have done without you?
Thanks for the help you have given me over the last year.
I am almost computer literate.
Congrats on one year. What a moving post about a mother and her son - this kind of stuff makes me cry. How proud you must be (and what a lucky man to have you for a mom!)
Happy 1 year blogging annivesary. And my favorite obsession is digressing as well.
I have enjoyed reading your posts. They are very moving. I am grateful for the service which you all give.
With Love,
From one proud mom to another.
jojo...I am so grateful you choose to keep coming back to read my words! Comments are nice, but not mandatory!
grandma...you are far too kind, for I have gained so very much by reading your words! As for the computer stuff, we'll keep teaching each other!
ME...I thank you for always being such a sweetheart. It is so good to have you part of the blogosphere!
B&B...thank you! Which of you digresses best??? :)
pistolmom...thank you for stopping by.
congrats on the one year blogversary.
the photos bring back some fond memories for me. the swearing in the short hair cut,the feeling of finishing basic training as well.
mike...thank you once again for your service! It is so nice of you to stop by!
Congrats on your one year blogaversary & I salute John with American pride & Respect for his service and True American Heart!
trukindog...thank you for your kind words, I'll pass them along to John!
Congratulations! Our blogging world is a better place because of what you write about.
I was thinking of you last night as I watched yesterday's Oprah, and she was visiting soldiers at Walter Reed. I sat there bawling my eyes out and all I could think about was "I need to email AM about this".
See what effect you've had on me? My life is enriched because of you...thank you.
julie...I am so very grateful for your sweet words. You have become a highlight to my day!
Wonderful post to your son. You, and this entire country, have every right to be proud. He looks like an amazing young man!
Kimmy
kimmy...thank you! we are most blessed as a nation to have so many fine soldiers, such as my son!
Thank you so much for your prayers....I will remember your son also! You have much to be proud of!
Congratulations on your 100 posts! I only hope I make it that long! Your blog really reminds me of how lucky I am.
Congratulation! Thanks so much for sharing. I join your followers in adding my two-cents and expressing how much I appreciate what you have given me. Great ideas,important information, places to go and experiences I never would have known had I not found you.
Thanks and best wishes for many many more blogs! Prayers always for you and your family.
Congratulations on your one year anniversay. Being patriotic is not "uncool". These brave men and women know more then some who would think that. Thank you son again for me.
No way. One year ago? Nope, don't believe.
Hallie
Congrats. Great Pics. Reminds me of that fathful day back in Sept 1966 when I raised my had and became a proud member of the USAF. I loved it for 21.6 years and still do. Good on your son, he will do well.
1 year down....29 to go.
;-)
snicker..sorry, I'm married to a lifer.
congrats.
A perfect post for what is surely a bittersweet memory. And congrats on the year-long blog! I have about ten more to go to get there!
AM,
This post is beautiful. And I am happy to say that we love and are so proud of John also.
Both he and your blog have grown in many wonderful ways in this last year.
I am beginning to realize just how hard it is to be the parent of an adult.
God Bless,
aam
Happy blog anniversary.
What a lovely blog you have going here and what an awesome tribute to your little boy.......
I am in awe of the brave men and women who fight to keep America Tha Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave.........
Tell him Reggie Girl and Prince from Newnan, Georgia say hello and......I am at a loss here, which is pretty unusual....
Tell him we say "Well done John and Godspeed".......
Take good care and.......
Steady On
Reggie Girl
lora...My prayers are lifted for your family. Thank you for stopping by!
ashley..your blog is off to a fantastic beginning...I have no doubt I will read your words for a very long time!
jean...your kind words are deeply appreciated!
julie...I could not agree with you more! Thanks for the sweet words!
hallie...I'm as shocked as anyone, that I have been blogging for an entire year!!!!!!!
grandpa...I know I have thanked your before, but truly my heart is filled with gratitude for yor service. It is an honor to have you stop by to read my words!
mm...I would not be at all surprised if my son was a 'lifer' also! A huge thank you to you and your husband for your service!!!
fl...I will make it a point to help you celebrate!!!
aam...it is always a pleasure to read your words...whether they are a comment here or one of your posts. I thank you and your soldier for your service!
travis..thanks for taking the time to stop by! I can't believe this first year has passed already!
RG...your comment means so much! Thank you!
Airman Mom, Congratulations on 1 year of blogging and to John for 1 year in the service. Having had the opportunity to spend a few hours with him I am able to say what a wonderful young man you have raised. And yes, the country does love him. We all do. Thanks for being here in this blogging community.
michelle...thank you for your supporting words! You have been a wonderful inspiration!
What a beautiful posting, and great pictures for a trip down memory lane. I think you will be really glad that you started blogging as a way to look at back. To look back on your feelings, thoughts and desires as you baby son walks in new boots as a man with a mission. I too am very patriotic and honor/admire those that are willing to serve. God bless America and all of us that live here. God bless your son that is willing to make the sacrifice so that we can sit at a computer and write whatever we want.
lisa...you truly hit the nail on the head...we have the freedom to blog because of our brave soldiers!
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