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I've Missed too many days

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 Wow, where to start?  So much has happened since I last wrote anything regarding my soldier-in-training. He completed The Hammer, all the other field training exercises, and made it through The Forge (around October 23rd).  He became a solider and my momma heart could not have been prouder of this young man.  As it turns out, he called me before I left work that day, so a lot of people got to congratulate him on his accomplishment! (including his elementary school principal, Carrie Gravely)  Here he is!  PFC C. Lindsey! My BOY!  Family day at Fort Jackson!  I couldn't stop hugging him when he tapped me on the shoulder.  It surprised me so much to turn around and see that young man standing behind me!  He looks so dang cute in his uniform.  Tears just flowed and surprise made me repeat, "My boy, my boy, oh my boy!" We toured the the fort and walked 5 miles that day.  We went to two museums on base, checked out the PX, and had p...
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Surprise Call!

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 September 14, 2023 We got a surprise mid-week call from Christian tonight!  He earned 30 minutes of phone time, so he called home.  He had a lot to tell.  He rappelled from a 40 ft wall this week.  He said it was the most exciting thing he's done his whole life.  He also said it cured is fear of heights.  His platoon ran an obstacle course this week, too.  He had fun doing that as well.  They also went though the gas chamber today.  He came out unscathed and reported that it wasn't too bad.  Some guys had burning skin, but the only thing he said that bothered him was on the back of his neck.  He asked for cough dops and his address book.  I will get them to him before Saturday afternoon, that's for sure.  I then gave the phone to his dad so they could talk.  They didn't connect on Sunday, so I let them have some time by themselves to discuss what happened this week.  
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Writing Letters

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 September 13, 2023.  I wrote my son a letter yesterday.  He's missing home a little and I am missing him, too.  I told him I would make a special meal for him when he comes home for Christmas and try to incorporate everything he wants and misses. 
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MRE's are Terrible and You Are 9/11

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 Well, it's Sunday again (September 10, 2023) and I heard from our Soldier in Training.  He says he's fine, but his shoulder has popped out again.  He's still slated to graduate on November 8.  Today was the first time he's mentioned family day and when to get there.  I think he might be missing home.  He asked about his dog and the grey kitten that showed up. I had to tell him the grey kitten hasn't been around in two weeks. He was a little sad about that.  I also told him his dog kept me up the last three nights because of storms.  He said she's a crazy dog.  Regarding Family Day and Graduation, he said we needed to be there on Monday for family day on Tuesday and then Graduation on Wednesday.  He's excited and still happy.  Christian also said that he got more gear, like his pack, armor plates, helmet, grenade bags, and the such.  I told him I think they're getting ready to start marching with all that gear. He said he was r...
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Dislocation

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 It's Sunday, September 3, 2023 and we heard from Christian tonight around 6:00.  He finally made it to basic training on Friday.  The fist thing he did was fall and dislocate his shoulder.  He said he tripped over the curb while running back from touching a STOP sign.  He told the DS that he had dislocated his shoulder, he didn't believe him.  The senior DS (a female) told him to come here and let's look at that.  He had truly dislocated it when he hit the ground.  They sent him to medical where they said he looked ok and put his arm in a sling.  He said his shoulder feels tight and that moving it makes it feel better.  He also said they are waiting to go back to medical on Tuesday (closed tomorrow for Labor Day) to determine if he's going to be medically discharged.  I hope not.  He still sounds happy and excited to be there, pain and all.  I asked him how he felt about being "let go", he told me that if that happens, th...
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Got the First Phone Call Today!

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 It's now Sunday, August 27, 2023, and my boy has been gone a week.  I've spent most of this weekend cleaning up his room, organizing his things, and take a minute to finally see what kind of person my boy truly is.  He's so eclectic.  He collects found objects, like shell casings, feathers, and animal skeletal bones.  He has save a lot of stuff from NJROTC, Boy Scouts, Cowboy Quick Draw, and Army information.  I found a note left from his senior Government teacher which he kept.  He's into electronic stuff and guns and explosives (firecrackers).  Needless to say, all this sorting and culling and cleaning has been a great distraction from the one thing I want the most... that first phone call.  I had come out to the office to work on lesson plans, and Danny followed me out here.  He started watching basic training videos from Fort Jackson.  All the while, I am trying to stay focused on the task at hand, my lesson plans.  After ...
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Dropped Him Off Today

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 It's Monday, August 21, 2023 and I just dropped off my baby boy at a hotel in Colonial Heights to ship out to Fort Jackson, SC tomorrow sometime.  My momma heart is full of pride and sadness all at the same time.  It's been a crazy few days.  We went to the movies on Friday night and saw "The Last Voyage of Demeter".  Weird movie about Dracula, but I liked it.  It was a train wreck that I couldn't look away from it.  Christian enjoyed it.  He likes weird stuff like that.   Saturday, we all went to pow-wow.  I needed some reconnection time to my roots and nature.  It was just what my soul needed during a time of turmoil and uncertainty in my life.  I felt so grounded while we were there.  Great celebration of life and kinship. Sunday, we took Christian out to dinner one last time just to spend some time together.  It was delicious.  We met a super nice couple who were celebrating their daughter's 26th birthd...
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