My nephew was in Iraq for a year. He was with a superbly trained outfit, and they took their missions seriously.
My brother and his wife said it got easier once he was there, and was able to communicate with him on a regular basis.
God bless.
It gets better, but only if you don’t think about it in terms of “what ifs”. That was my experience anyway. I’ll be praying for your son.
I do not have sons in the military, but I am a student of history. If you think of your son as a participant in something greater than himself, then it puts his service into a much more profound perspective. God bless you.
Remember, dear FRiend, God knows what He is doing.
May the Lord Bless Him And Keep Him Safe..
And may the Lord bless you with knowledge that he is in God’s hands.. All will be well..
Amen
If it helps, I've been in the combat zone for seven years and still have all my fingers and toes. :)
Panthermom,
Yes it does get easier, the moment he gets off some damn jet back here in the U.S.A. you will feel a huge sigh of relief.
Until then we will all pray for your Hero son.
Tell him that, and tell him of your fears.
And may GOD bless.
My son was in Iraq towards the beginning of the war. It was very hard in the beginning as there was no communication set up. After a few months there was some internet access and then we lost that. I don’t know if I was naive but I always believed he would come back. Fortunately, he did as did everybody in his company.
It has made him a stronger more self reliant person.
You just have to keep the faith that everything will be fine. I won’t tell you not to worry because that’s what we mother’s are supposed to do. I hope you have a lot of family support and people to talk to when you need to.
Give your son a hug for me.
I don’t understand why you wouldn’t be able to say “I’m afraid *for* you, but I’m proud *of* you. It makes sense, and he might actually need to hear it. And I will pray for Panthermom’s son.
My son first went to Kuwait to participate in the initial strike on Iraq. He later went back to Al Asad in Anbar Province. More recently, he was in Afghanistan. From my experience, it doesn’t get much easier; however, communication is so advanced these days that you will most likely be able to exchange emails and even get occasional phone calls. That makes it much, much easier to bear! Like others have said, it will definitely be easier when he comes home. Until that day, pray! And I will pray for your son as well. God bless you all.
Will add your son to my prayers. Don’t think you can really do anything about the anxiety but pray. Hope the time passes quickly until he returns home.
Thank you for raising a son who serves, and please thank him for his service for me.
mrs
I don’t have kids in the military but I’m a Mom. I can see and feel your fears. Even grown, they are still your babies. I will pray for your strength and courage and for his safety. This idea is probably stupid but have you considered keeping a writing journal for him while he is gone. You can write daily about what you have done, felt, etc... You can even clip out newspaper articles or local paper articles about things you two would have talked about. When he comes home, he can have the book/journal/diary.. whatever you choose to call it. If you think that is lame just disregard. Either way, God Bless him and you.
Prayers for your son panthermom.My Granddaughter was 2nd wave 4ID in Iraq.You kinda hold your breath until they get home.The good news is she fell in love there to a wonderful young man and they married about 9 months ago:)
As wife of a man who served in the Army for 24 years and mother of a Marine, I have to confess it doesn’t get much better.
You must stay busy and you must write to him often. Don’t tell him how worried you are.
When FrogDad was gone in Desert Storm, I sat down each night and had (on paper) the same conversation that we would have had if he’d been at the dinner table. Told him about the day, what we did, what the kids were doing, what the stupid dog was doing, etc. I tried to put a humorous spin on it all. Like when the car died, I got it fixed and THEN told him about it.
I never griped, I never whined, and told him every day how much he was missed.
This served two purposes. It helped keep me busy and FORCED me to keep my spirits up (so he couldn’t read my sadness and worry between the lines). Also, when he got home, he was caught up on everything so there wasn’t as much “culture shock”.
Prayers for his safe and successful mission.
That year, I went to Iraq as a contractor and was 10 miles away from him, yet it might as well have been on the other side of the world at times. He made it over to Victory/Liberty complex about 6 times over the year he was there so it was a blessing, and nerve wracking.
It wasn't any easier when he made his second tour to Iraq but he (only by the grace of God) returned and is back stateside, safe & sound.
I on the other hand have remained and am in Afghanistan this time.
If you dwell on it, it will drive you nuts. Just realize this is his choice, he is with the best trained, best equipped, warriors in the world.
I will pray for him as well.
Prayer. When my son was in Iraq, I prayed. And prayed. Nevertheless, it is a burden and a heart ache and a worry. I came to understand Mary, the mother of our Lord just a little more. We raise our children to face their destiny and stand beside them through it all. It has ever been thus. May you be strengthened to go through each day with hope and a sure knowledge that God is with your son and will be until he returns to your embrace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rRea9qnjK4
Hey PantherMom - Happy Mother’s Day
Sounds to me like you raised a fine young man. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Be proud you raised such a wonderful young man. I don’t know if it will get better for you, but you will probably find a mental “place to go” that will help you cope. My Air Force nephew is leaving for his first tour in Afghanistan next month. My brother and sister-in-law did tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq soon after the fall of Baghdad and they were always on my mind so I can’t imagine how I’d be if I had a child there. We are mothers so we worry. I will keep both him and you in my prayers. Tell him he has a big fan club!
Prayers up for your son and you.