Sempermom66
01-13-09, 11:37 AM
This is my first post. Until yesterday, I spent months reading the threads on this site like I'm preparing for a final exam in a language that I just picked up over summer vacation.
On Sunday, January 11, I did NOT say good bye to my two sons before they checked into their hotel--the night before they shipped together to MCRD SD for Boot Camp.
It was my birthday.
It's been over six months since my oldest son commented that he was considering the Marines seriously as his best next step. It didn't take long for him to recruit his brother from a dialogue with the Air Force.
And I learned early on that if you have to ask, "Why the Marines?" you probably won't get it.
At least not on the first take.
In half a year, I have enjoyed more candid conversations of depth with my sons than in the past five years... much of these chats began after one or the other of us read a specific account on this site.
All three of us were duly impressed by the professionalism and performance of Recruiting Officer Staff Sergeant V. Cortez.
And while I did not agree that both brothers should go to Boot Camp together--I encouraged them to separate to ensure that each one could apply himself independently to the challenges and opportunities for leadership that are a component in this process--I admitted that my opinion was only that.
And they chose to go together.
To a woman--to a mother--thirteen weeks is a trimester, a period of ongoing development and specialization so complex that it can blow your mind.
Coincidentally, my sons will complete this journey of BECOMING nine months after they began it...
I know it's a feminine prismatic lens, a sensibility that carries cooties in this environment of masculine honor and fraternity--
But I'm a mom first--
And in thirteen weeks--a Marine Mom.
My most sincere gratitude to the contributors and moderators on this site.
I look forward to a continuing dialogue with the Marines and Marine families I meet here.
Finally, a question of profound importance to me:
Is it "Hoorah?" Or "Oorah?"
Christina
Proud Mother of Two US Marine RECRUITS
On Sunday, January 11, I did NOT say good bye to my two sons before they checked into their hotel--the night before they shipped together to MCRD SD for Boot Camp.
It was my birthday.
It's been over six months since my oldest son commented that he was considering the Marines seriously as his best next step. It didn't take long for him to recruit his brother from a dialogue with the Air Force.
And I learned early on that if you have to ask, "Why the Marines?" you probably won't get it.
At least not on the first take.
In half a year, I have enjoyed more candid conversations of depth with my sons than in the past five years... much of these chats began after one or the other of us read a specific account on this site.
All three of us were duly impressed by the professionalism and performance of Recruiting Officer Staff Sergeant V. Cortez.
And while I did not agree that both brothers should go to Boot Camp together--I encouraged them to separate to ensure that each one could apply himself independently to the challenges and opportunities for leadership that are a component in this process--I admitted that my opinion was only that.
And they chose to go together.
To a woman--to a mother--thirteen weeks is a trimester, a period of ongoing development and specialization so complex that it can blow your mind.
Coincidentally, my sons will complete this journey of BECOMING nine months after they began it...
I know it's a feminine prismatic lens, a sensibility that carries cooties in this environment of masculine honor and fraternity--
But I'm a mom first--
And in thirteen weeks--a Marine Mom.
My most sincere gratitude to the contributors and moderators on this site.
I look forward to a continuing dialogue with the Marines and Marine families I meet here.
Finally, a question of profound importance to me:
Is it "Hoorah?" Or "Oorah?"
Christina
Proud Mother of Two US Marine RECRUITS