My children have always been the most cherished part of my life, my defining moments, my love, my joy, my reasons for it all.
My son is leaving for war tomorrow. As a little kid he used to move his plastic soldiers across huge maps of the World I had bought for him. When he was a teenager he went to the Citadel Summer camp every summer and at 16 he became a counselor there. He later attended The Citadel, where he was a Summerall Guard and had several significant leadership positions. After graduating magna cum laude from the Citadel he enlisted in the Marines. After six months at Quantico he was commissioned as an officer. As he reminded me a few weeks ago, he is first a Marine, then an officer.
If I had it my way, war would be fought with paint guns. I am probably the least military person you’ll ever meet. I wasn’t happy about his decision to join the Marines, but I encouraged him to follow his heart anyway. God, that was hard to do! As parents, that is our main job: to encourage each child’s individuality to blossom, in spite of our own proclivities and fears.
My son is going to war tomorrow. He will be joining the many honorable young men and women serving our country. This is my son’s decision. I raised him to follow his heart. “I Hope You’ll Dance!” depicts exactly what I’ve always tried to instill in my children. Follow your heart, dedicate yourself with abandon to your particular calling and allow your destiny to unfold. I have to remind myself of this, as I swallow my tears and give my son a proud salute farewell.
Mirela Alex &; Amanda = nucleus of my heart!
All I can say is:
Parenthood is not for sissies...
Mirela - I can't imagine being in your position...I'm lucky I have girls. May God bless you and your family and keep your son safe.
Lori: This song says it all...
All we can do is do our best...
...and then pray A LOT!!!
You're lucky to have daughters! They tend to stick around more (when they grow up)...
I will be praying for him especially as I regularly do for all out troops!!!
Mirela,
I salute and will pray for your son. You see I to went to The Citadel and was also a Summerall Guard. Tell him I was 2A popout. Semper Fi!
I am so sorry to hear of your son going to war,
God Bless you and your Son. We all will be praying for his safe return and for his mother's strength until that day.
As a Veitnam Era Vet, I applaude and appreciate your sons decision. He is a Patriot and I salute him...and you. It is never easy for a parent to let their children be adults but you have done the right thing. May your son be protected by the hand of the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. May he come home after his hitch and be blessed......and may the Creator give mom some peace of mind!!!
Mirela, I don't know how I would feel if I were in your shoes. I'll pray that God will bring him back to you safely. He is truly another American hero.
Thank you for your sacrifice. It is not only our Marines, Soldiers and Airmen who sacrifice, but the families who keep the home fires burning. Blessings on you, your family, and especially for your son.
Please let him know we appreciate his service!
P.S. I am a military daughter, wife and mom!
Mirela, Thanks for sharing your son and heart with us. As a mother, I am sure I would feel the same way you do, if my son decided to join the military. It is an honorable decision and our thoughts and prayers are with him and your entire family. I hope you'll dance at his homecoming :)
Mirela,
You are so right Parenthood is not for sissies! Thanks for sharing and your message "I hope you dance" is a wonderful attitude and belief to instill in your children. God bless you and keep your family safe. I am so grateful for his service to our country please let him know.
Hi Mirela ~ You are clearly a strong woman. It has to be the hardest thing in the world to watch a son go to war. I have two and am glad I don't need to find that strength.
My very best wishes to you both. I too salute your son for his dedication and you for the sacrifices you have made and will continue to make as you support him.
Denise
Thank you very much for your support!
He left today and I am all right.
One of my daughter's friends died this week due to a motorcycle accident. He was only 17 years old. We are having the memorial service tomorrow. I feel so bad for the parents! The sadness of this young man's death and my own son going to war have caused all the tears to flow. After sobbing off and on since Monday, I think I'm finished crying now. That is really the most remarkable thing about human beings: we are so resilient!
Crying is great therapy. So is laughter. I endorse both.
Life is good; we are still here!
Mirela, I have felt for a while now that you and I are soul-sisters. OMG, I have four biological sisters, what do I want with more? Just kidding. Finding someone here on Active Rain who sometimes says what I'm thinking before I do is wonderful.
My youngest daughter's wedding song was "I hope you dance." I have just laughed and cried with you and I will pray for you and your son. May God be with him and with you until he's safely in his mother's arms again.
This is a hearwarming look into how a parent needs to let their children go.....we raise them, and hope for the best, and sounds like you raised a good son. Now let's hope he stays safe.
First and foremost, your son is in my prayers. My best friends son made the same decision. Also from a not war like family!! When he left I told him I envied his bravery!! I echo that for you and your family!! Be brave, mom...it is in our job description!!
From the first time I heard this song, I fell in love with it!! It should be the theme song for all parents!!! I actually decided that whichever of my sons married first I would dance with him at his wedding to this song. I had that honor last June when my older son married a wonderful girl!!
Keep the words in your heart and remember to"Dance:!!
Warmest Regards,
Lori
Opps fogot to hit comment button!!
Mirela, bless your heart, and bless your son and all of the young men and women keeping our country safe. I have two sons and can so relate to your feelings. You are a wonderful parent!
My prayers are with you and your son (and all of our troops). What a brave and selfless decision. What a wonderful young man he must be. I have a son who is 13 and I am about as non-military as they come...but I have seen with my girls that they find their own way no matter how we have raised them.
My brother almost died on a motorcycle when he was 17 and on the way home from school. He pulled through after a month in the hospital. He came to my wedding with a broken arm and stitches running down his face. 22 years later motorcycles still scare me to death--especially when my son talks about them.I will keep this family (and your daughter) in my prayers, too.
Oh Mirela... I understand that he must follow his passion... but how tough for a mom. You and he are in my prayers. Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos. Much love to you!
"Your Children Will Become What You Are; So Be What You Want Them To Be." ~David Bly
You must be very proud and frightened. I agree war should be fought with paint guns.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your son. Thanks for sharing