The First Call Home…..
Note: I should begin with an apology to readers of Lisa’s Home Front blog. It’s not my intention that Christi and I dominate this forum. Many families have sons and daughters and friends in the service. And I’m sure Lisa would love to have more reflections. Some of the letters that service people send home aren’t so personal (or such security risks) that they can’t be shared with neighbors and friends back home. I hope this entry encourages others to contribute to the Home Front.
Rob called Sunday afternoon. He just completed his first “real week” of Air Force boot camp.
Christi had been hanging by the phone all day knowing he might call on a Sunday. We made peach jam together. Late in the afternoon, she ducked out to drop off leftover peaches at some friends’ homes. She left her cell phone in the car for ten minutes. Of course, that’s when Rob called.
Then he called the house phone, so his brother Mike and I got to really talk to him, at least for a brief few moments. He sounded quiet; Mike said exhausted.
“Air Force basic is a lot harder than people think. I wanted to have a low profile during boot camp, but that didn’t work too well.” Rob said. “My drill instructor thinks I have leadership potential.” So Rob has been appointed Flight Leader; there are 49 men in his Flight. Some of them have screwed up. Like all the other flights, Rob’s failed its first dorm inspection.
“I’ve been doing a lot of push-ups.” Other recruits have been given free time to write letters. Rob uses that time going over the dorm preparing for the next inspection.
When he called he had just finished a six-minute meal break - the first break he’s had since basic training began in earnest a week ago. He apologized for not writing.
At that point you could tell the pressure is getting to him. I gave him some encouragement, and he said some of his guys have promised to help him with his duties so he can have enough time to write a letter. Then he cheered up and told of being issued an M-16 by a supply sergeant, I presume.
“Thank you, sir,” he said.
“Don’t thank me, son. Thank your recruiter.”
We laughed. Then with a faint “I love you” he had to hang up.
Christi was sort of mopey all evening because she didn’t get to talk to Rob.
“You’re worried about your boy, aren’t you,” I said.
“Aren’t you?” she asked.
I don’t know if I was supportive or not, but I said it’s hard for a Mom to understand because they weren’t boys. Boys want to be men, independent and strong. That’s what Rob’s achieving. I’m not happy for him; he’s in the emotional dumps. But I’m proud. I am confident he can do this and will achieve something very important when he comes out the other end.
She listened quietly.
August 11th, 2009 in
General
