Ross Heads Out...

Ross is on his way to Ft.Lenardwood, MI. today to report for basic trainning.
He was scheduled to go on Thursday, May 14th, but got a phone call this morning
saying that his time had been moved up to today. His dad and I met he and Melissa
down at the Armory to say good-bye.
It's been a long road coming to this point...and now that it's here it just leaves
me in shock more or less. I see myself going through the motions of hugging him
and saying farewell, but it's as if I'm not really there- only seeing it from a
distance. Funny how some things turn out like that. As if we are only spectators
in our own lives, like it's not really real.
Since the moment our son has come into our lives it's been a real interesting ride. And we have loved him, cried with him and over him, enjoyed his accomplishments, and felt his disappointments amd failures through it all.
Today he goes out into the world to become a man. He doesn't go out alone, for we are still with him. We are anixous to share in his triumphs and support him
in his times of need. But more than ever, it is up to him, and that for me is the very hardest part of being a parent. Watching and waiting, hoping and praying that he will remember what we tried to teach him and remembering that he is unique and special.