So it's been almost 3 weeks since Erich started his new path of life and although it's a hard road to take he seems to do well with it so far. Sure the hours are long, but not as long as he thought since he gets to bed early at night and seems to get a good 6 hours of sleep at least.
He's already experienced things like getting a gun and learning to strip it down to the bare core, clean all the parts and put it back together. The Gas Chamber which is lot's of fun for all involved - ok, not really :) But he was proud that no one in his company threw up afterward, I am being told that that's a big deal! He's been a squad leader, has done lot's and lot's of cleaning since church isn't his thing on Sundays and has "enjoyed" Missouri's ever changing weather (cold in the am, hot and muggy in the afternoon).
He's learned that Basic Training isn't quite what it was when his father did it some 20+ years ago, that it's gone a bit 'softer' but that it's still a lot to take in, a lot of things physically and mentally to learn and deal with. Being away from home seems a lot harder then the first time around, being away from friends that he cares and worries about is tough for someone like Erich, not being able to call anytime he feels like isn't something he (or his parents for that matter) likes very much. But we're all aware that it'll get better further down that new path and that we're very proud of him already.
He's turned into a bit of a writer since Internet and phone aren't happening and so we get letters once or twice a week, which has us racing to the mailbox on a daily basis in the hopes to find more news from him. Just like we race to the phone each time it rings.
So missing him hasn't changed at this point and we can not wait to see him in July for his Graduation. But we're adjusting at home as he's adjusting away from home I'm sure.
This, just like having him and raising him is a learning process for us all and nobody knows what the future will hold.
To be continued.......
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