And before you know it

His leave is up and he heads back out. And I realize full well that that's the way it's going to be from now on - that he will only come home on vacation and no longer lives here. Each time he'll come and take something else back with him until there won't be any of his things left in "his" room. But you know what? It's ok! I miss him and wish he was closer, but he's a grown man now and although he doesn't have any problems acting like a 13 year old when together with friends, he's proving again and again that he's not a teenager anymore. He's also learning to be an adult at the same time. 
Suddenly being a Soldier and living on post without being told each step he has to make is a bit confusing at first. To realize that this is now your job, you get up in the morning, do your pt, go train and work your job and then go home, change into civilian clothes and do whatever it is one does - it's a new experience. 
So hubby and I have had to learn to let go, and Erich has had to learn to go and I think we're all starting to get used to this situation. None of this means that we're any less close. Erich will always be our 'boy' and I hope we'll always continue to have the tight relationship we have now, eventually perhaps with more members added to the family. We continue to talk just about every day and I like that, that's where cell phones and the internet come in handy. I'm sure that too will stop one day and phone calls will happen less frequently but that too is fine as long as I know he's happy an healthy.

He seems to be doing well in his new place, has a nice room with everything he needs, is in a pretty area and is meeting new people. There is much left to learn, about the job and about life and I'm sure he'll master all of it.