Roots and Wings

Fear not...there is no recipe for Sunday Dinner!
Speaking of recipes...Finding the formula to be a commendable parent of an adult child, is my ultimate quest. Ahhh...then take it to a different level... that of being the parent of a child in the military. What to ask about, what you learn and simply reply with a gulp! How to encourage and motivate without sounding as though you have stepped into a time machine, going back fifteen years! YIKES!
Knowing my son is settling well into his new world, feels good. John seems to like Wright-Patt, he is making friends, he has a good sponsor, gets along with his dorm-mates...it's all good! John's core consists of kindness and thoughtfulness, yet he is tough and determined. He has grown to become a man of velvet and steel.
I do believe John has the roots needed in order to fly.
John, I do love you so.

MOTHER AND SON
My son

I am here

I cannot protect you

From the world.

My son

I am here

I can only love you

No matter what

My son

I am here

My love unconditional

On this you can rely

My son

I am here

To guide and to teach you

And now you must fly

My son

I am here

Life can be difficult

I hear your cry

My son

I am here

Changes are painful

Never forget who you are

My son

I am here

Maintain the faith

In yourself and in God

My son

I am here

Self acceptance is yours

Do not fear

My son

I am here

~Rose Falcone

Was it a dream?

Could sixteen days pass so quickly?
How can one heart hurt so deeply and yet be full of so much pride all in the same beat?
John, I do love you so!

Happy Birthday, America!

Our National Banner

O'er the high and o'er the lowly,

Floats that banner bright and holy
In the rays of Freedom's sun,
In the nation's heart embedded,
O'er our Union newly wedded,
One in all, and all in one.

Let that banner wave forever,
May its lustrous stars fade never,
Till the stars shall pale on high;
While there's right the wrong defeating,
While there's hope in true hearts beating,
Truth and freedom shall not die.

As it floated long before us,
Be it ever floating o'er us,
O'er our land from shore to shore;
There are freemen yet to wave it,
Millions who would die to save it,
Wave it, save it, evermore.
by Dexter Smith-July 4, 1876

John's Journey

Good to be home!

Truly, it is the little things in life which meant the most. Being together for birthday celebrations and lunch with my mom...with John around is sweet! It's been a good break for him, hanging out with friends, vegging in front of the tv, downloading music on his MP3... simply being a guy at home. It means so much to share normal life with him. Little things...



Girl Time!









Uncle Carl opening gifts with a helper!









John and Erin sharing time with Pop-Pop!

Welcome Home!

JOHN IS HOME!

John looks great... so confident and proud. Although an enormous life change has occurred over the last sixteen weeks, his eyes still smile, the dimple still exists and the twinkle is still alive in his eyes.

Forever a piece of my heart, forever my son.

Hanging out with a sister in mom's kitchen, life is good!
It was fun to watch them together, to hear the silliness and laughter.

A brother and sister...together.

Saturday we took a trip to Arlington Cemetary...not only did we witness the changing of the guard, we we felt honored to watch two wreath laying ceremonies as well. It was then off to visit both the Vietnam and World War II Memorials.

How fortunate we are to live in this country, to be able to freely walk these grounds.

We must never forget!

Saturday night was playing cards at a neighbor's home until after midnight. It's amazing the difference in having John's mere presence in a room. Just the simple things. Sunday morning John and I attended Service and then he spent the rest of the day in the garage tinkering on the car. When John was asked how he did with the whole airplane deal, he replied that BMT taught him how to conquer his fears. I'm guessing John will have love/hate feelings towards his TI for a long time to come!

It's so good to have John home... to know he has this little chunk of time to revisit who he was, as he moves forward to develop who he will become.

John, I do love you so!!!

Wake-Up!

Unbelievable!
Tomorrow at 11:18am, John's plane will touchdown at BWI...I know, I know...another acronym! BWI-sweet! Baltimore!!!!
He did very well on the block test today, and somehow got through all of the briefings...even had time time to go to dinner with a group of Airmen tonight!
As of 4am Thursday morning, Tech School at Keesler will be a chapter in John's history book. He is so relieved and I am so deeply proud of him!
I sent him an e-mail the other day, titled, "Cravings" I guess John becoming an uncle for the third time has me in baby-mode... what I wanted to know is what food has he been thinking about. John's answer S-T-E-A-K! Care to guess the menu for Thursday night? ;)
Tomorrow will be a sweet reunion between a mom and her son, a son who has transformed into a man. So many changes in such a short amount of time (for mom) but an eternity for John!
A brand new chapter is about to open for my airman, a great chapter...full of dreams come true. It won't be a perfect life, but it will be a life where he is meant to be, doing what he is meant to do!
I will see my son at 11:18 am!
God is good!
John, I do love you so!