Bob,

That is fantastic news!!!   I am so happy for you and your son.  Please, stay here with all of the other parents and family  members of the heroes that are serving our nation!  I can really see how their experience, understanding and comforting words are very helpful for everyone.

My prayers and best wishes are with you all, the heroes here at home...

Love and hugs,

Kaylynn

ricksdad:

I feel pretty good this AM,  Rick called twice !!..........

Soooo, needless to say, my spirits are pretty up there for now.

Peace to all you and your soldiers

May God bless all of you !!

( hugs)

Bob 

Hello Bob..........

I was so happy for you when I read this!!!     I'm sure you're spirits are soaring..........

Can I reiterate a suggestion someone made to you........keep a journal.    I'm suggesting this again cause you are at a HIGH moment today.   Write down what Rick said, how he sounded, how you felt, etc.    This way if there is a gap in time again, you can go back and re-read all your thoughts and feelings.    Just a suggestion.........and again.........very happy for you today.  

Love peace and blessings.......Anne Marie

Lilly,

I just came from TJ Maxx and I saw the same Thorlo sox there.  I believe they were $5.99 (not sure)  They were marked "slightly irregular" (I did not get them since I was not sure if they would be O.K. for such harsh use.)  I also saw them previously at Marshalls (same story -  slightly irregular.)  In the past several weeks I mailed six packages to our Marines at Camp Blessing.  I have not heard a word from them.  I am not sure they are receiving the packages.  Anyone out there with the same experiance?  I hate to keep on sending packages if they are not getting into the right hands.

Slovenka

Bob,

I totally agree with Anne Marie.  I print out all of Shawn's emails and I re-read them all the time.  I also have messages still on my answering machine, from before he left for the Korengal, when he called me and left a message (approx. 15 of them)., some are just him being very silly and I love to just listen to them.  My youngest son thinks I am crazy, but I don't care...they get me past the hard times...and I know there will be many before he comes home.

In fact, I'm going to listen to them right now......

Tamra

 Bob, so happy for you and congratulations to your son

Tamra, I have also saved some of Mike's messages and like to hear his voice when I'm missing him.

Teresa,   It's so hard to get through that pain. My dear brother will be gone 2 years on Oct.28 and I still can't believe it sometimes. I will keep Brent and your family in my thoughts.

Hugs to all

Diane 

Slovenka,

You can drive yourself nuts worrying about whether boxes arrive or not.  I do insure all of mine going to Afghanistan for a little extra peace of mind and just have faith in God, the USPS and the APO!  So keep sending those boxes.  Your contact may not have internet access to e-mail you, it may be 4 to 8 weeks between mail deliveries to get a letter out to you, but keep those boxes heading their way!

Yeah, the Thorlo socks are not army regulation green but they are WARM and at the very least, the guys can sleep with them on and have warm feet at night.  The ones I got are irregulars and I can't see anything wrong wth them at all.  I am hoping their commander is more concerned with their feet staying warm than the color of their socks!

Best regards,

Lilly

Oh, Bob, I'm so relieved and happy for you!!!  Not only must it have been wonderful to hear his voice, it must be a relief to know that he's not being pushed back or denied access in favor of others.  I'm sure you *knew* that wasn't the case in your mind, but when your heart gets involved and tried to figure out why you weren't hearing from him, I know every bad scenario went through your head.  I hope you're able to draw strength from this gift to get you through to next time.  {{{hugs}}}

Teresa, I'm so sorry for your family's loss.  Its a loss for all of us when one of our heroes makes the ultimate sacrifice.  Brent will never be forgotten, he and your family will be in our prayers.

Well, in the convo with my son yesterday, there was a small ceremony  ( or how ever ya spell it)  lol

It's official, Rick and another pv 2 made PFC !!   WOOHOO !!

Well, here I go again.

Im kinda depressed lately   (go figure)

My son being in the middle of a war, the "empty nest syndrome" thing,

Broke on my butt,  Direct dep issue  again,  oh yeah, and yet another failed marrage.

Gee, and everything all at once ta boot !

As if one is not bad enuff, the whole loanly thing is taking a huge toll,  zero companionship, no where to go, nothing to do, no escape at all.

I have been trying to laugh most of it off, but its not really working anymore.

Apparently I HAVE ISSUES !!  lol

Soooo, now what??

I guess all this is a bit traumatic for me, and drags the (want,need, urge) out of me i suppose.

I really dont know  what to do other then write on here

oh well....

Issues, hmmm, well it seems we all have one or two of them.  It's how we handle them that seems to be the real problem.  But you will get through this.  Just remember you are not doing your son any good if you are a neurotic basket case.  So I would say to contact a local Veterans group and see if they have a group for parents of deployed military or become a volunteer for them. Either way it would help.

I now have enough orders to place one group order of over 50 pair of THORLO Cold Weather Mountaineering socks at the special rate.  This is last call to get me an order...please see details either in this thread or in the Plate Carriers thread.  PM or e-mail me by noon Central time, Friday 10/13.

If you want to place your own order for at least 50 pair, PM or e-mail me for the THORLO contact to place your order.  Payment is by major credit card only - Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.

Best regards,

Lilly

Bob,

Here's some tough love....from one Army family member to another...if family can't talk straight to each other, who can....

Get a hold of yourself...your son needs your support! 

Your not the only one going through hard times...I was married for 23 years and got a divorce, my son Shawn graduated from high school, and I moved myself and my two boys from Ohio to Utah all within 1 month, about 2 years ago (June 2006).  I didn't have a job, because in Ohio I was a Homemaker, but I came to Utah...I got a job, I got an apartment, my son Shawn joined the Army, and I supported him as I always have...I am his cheerleader...I am a PROUD ARMY MOM!!!! 

We all have hard times, but right now you need to get some real help for your depression so you can be there for your son.  I am worried about your son right now...are you going to get your stuff together and be there for him?  Be strong, Bob...please Be Strong for Rick!  If nothing else, do it for your son.  I know for me...there's nothing more important to me than my kids...nothing.  And right now Bob, nothing should be more important to you than your son, your soldier, your hero!

Bob....I am here for you...email me.  

Tamra

P.S. I know I'm going to get some people that think what I've said is cruel, but really I don't mean for it to sound that way.  Sometimes you need a real good slap in the face (metaphorically speaking) to wake yourself up!

Hey everyone, I just noticed that Marty put a new KOP room in the link below, so we can chat real time.  This could be a lot of fun we should set up a time.  

"I added room "KOP" to http://Chat.AnySoldier.com/ChatRoom/"

 Angela

Hey Ricksdad,
You need to find something inexpensive to occupy your time and your mind. Volunteer your time in your community. It's free and will take your time. It will also put you in contact with people. This forum is great, but I think you need some face-time. Check your local paper and your local library for volunteer opportunities. Even once a week reading to elementary kids at a local elementary school. If you can't find anything, google and see what you find. This will be a really, really long year for you if you don't. It also won't do any good for your son if he is your only people contact. Besides, if you find a great volunteer opportunity, it will give you something to tell your son about your life at home.
Good luck to you,
Carol

Hello Bob....

I agree with Carol above..........there are lots of things in EVERY community to do.    I have been retired from the USPS for 2 years and BELIEVE me........I am busier than I have ever been.   I often say to myself.....good thing I retired!!!    I watch my grand babies (ok....that's not an option for you .....I dont think).......then I am VERY active in the American Cancer Society and help to find ways to raise money for the Relay For Life event.   I write letters to local businesses, visit with them and encourage them to get involved with this organization (esp. on the local level).   Then, I go around town and take LOTS of pics........why........why not!!!!   Then I get them printed up and it gives me something to (1) send to my troops (2) show them my town (3) something for me to tell them about and it's not tooo expensive and (4) give them something different to look at.    There is ALWAYS  volunteer work.......at a local hospital, school, library, senior citizen home etc.    The list is endless.   Then, there is supporting the troops.   Trust me with one income......we support quite  a few groups......not always packages........but always letters.   I clip comics, or small articles out of the paper and magazines   and send to them.   Now, if you're tight on funds.........check your library.......ours has shelves in the lobby for people to donate magazines and books.......I often send a few when I send the packages.   Some magazines might be  a few months old......but to the troops.....it might be something for them to read.  

And one last thing......are you spiritual???   Religious???   Try to get involved in a church group too.   I am NOT preaching here.....just suggesting.    I belong to a wonderful congregation and we have weekly prayer meetings.   Yesterday's talk was about "casting all your care upon HIM, for he careth for you" (1Peter Ch.5 verses 6-end).    Yes, I know this is a difficult thing to do.....but we have to trust in Him.........He created us......He cares for us.      Bob, I do wish you well in finding an outlet for all your energy.........

Love peace and blessings........Anne Marie