...the day arrived. This morning he slept in a little and then one of his best friends came over. Erich finished clearing out his room a little and packing his backpack with the few items he was able to take with him. We did a few more errands while Jim had to work for a few hours today. After the errands the boys took me to the local ice cream store and we had a few good laughs talking about their past as 'little' boys and some of things they pulled when younger.
Later more people came by to say good-bye and drop of some more phone cards for him (thank's guys!) and so we just spend the day doing this and that - doing it together.
After Jim arrived home from work we said farewell to everyone and started our 2 1/2 hour ride to Tampa. Once we reached the Hotel Erich went to sign in, get his room assigned and get instructions for the next few hours. Once that was done we were able to enjoy a dinner together at the hotel restaurant where many other new soldiers were eating as well. My first thought upon looking at them was: "good lord they're just babies!". Then I looked at my husband and thought: "good lord, we weren't any older then they are when we got married and had Erich and were in the Army". As a matter of fact we were exactly the same age.
We then stood outside for a while and then came the moment I dreaded a little, the hugs and kisses good-bye. I didn't want to cry, I wanted the last thing he saw on my face this evening be a smile and pride, and not a teary mess. And that's exactly what he did get to see, no tears. So then he went back to his room and we headed back home.
Tomorrow morning him and the others will board a plane and start a new life. I feel like the road we've always traveled together now has split in 2 directions with him going a different direction then I am. And although I know that's the way it should be I'm still going to find this road a little harder to travel for a while.
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