It's been a while since my last blog! We had a great Christmas and New Year. I was amazed that my son mopped the kitchen floor (twice!) and hoovered out my car - previously unheard of! All with his broken hand, of course - therein lies another saga!
It was lovely to have him home and to meet some of his army mates!
He was able to recharge his batteries, chill out with his 'civvy' friends and not have any structure to his time at home.
Since he returned to training he has been very homesick and the weekend we had snow he was devastated not to be able to come home. Homesickness is such a terrible feeling - you think that coming home will make it better, but instead it makes it worse.
He has been working out very hard and on top of his army PT he has been running in excess of 20 miles per week - he's trying to get a mile and a half in under 9 and a half minutes! Wow!
My son has lost loads of weight and his new jeans are already falling off him.
He came home last weekend and it was great to see him - we were snuggling in bed just like we used to when he was tiny, drinking tea (or 'a brew' as he now calls it!) I was holding his hand and all of a sudden I found myself dissolved in tears.
'What's the matter, Mum?' he asked. How can I explain that I am storing up memories of him, the simple every day things that we do together - just in case I ever need them, to remember how wonderful my life is with him in it? How much I love holding his hand, breathing in his scent and just chatting about the ordinary stuff. He wouldn't understand. Maybe it's only when you are a parent you learn.
I asked a friend yesterday what is the greatest thing about being a dad. He answered that it is the unconditional love you have for your children.
Last week someone who had been close to me, died suddenly, before his time. It just makes you realise how precious each day is. How precious children are. How we are not in control of our coming and going. Of life..... and of death.
Last week I listened to Woman's Hour - to the story of Christina Schmid’s husband Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid. Olaf was killed while attempting to defuse a bomb in Helmand province on October 31 last year. He was just 24 hours from flying home on leave. During a grueling, five-month tour, he had risked his life daily as a bomb disposal officer and had made safe a total 64 devices in the region. It was a harrowing story which made me realise again how dangerous this career path is that my son has chosen but how proud I am to be his mother. Read the story here. Or listen to the interview.
So here's to a new year, to hope and to good times ahead - plenty of them.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Advent - the period of expectant waiting! Counting down!
Well we are in Advent now - when we look forward to Christmas and begin the preparations to get everything ready!
The little one and I put up the Nativity scene on Sunday and we found the Advent calendars that have chocolate to be put into the pockets each day!
We are beginning to feel festive and have been listening to Christmas music! The presents are nearly all bought (but not wrapped yet.... eek!) and some of the cards have been written! I'm making my cards again this year but haven't got as organised as I'd like.
It's very cold here today and we had to scrape ice of the car this morning and tonight we have a fire lit!
It is 17 days until my Army son is home and 13 days until my eldest is home from Uni. So apart from Christmas the little one and I have family arrivals to look forward to and to prepare for! It's so exciting!!
My Army Son said they had Christmas lunch today (early hey?) and the Officers waited on them which was a new experience!
My little one said on his table at school he's the one called the 'Christmas Freak of the Week'! Whatever that means - I have no idea! Tonight he gave me a catalogue with all the items circled that he'd like for Christmas - just a little too late - how can I explain that one?
I have got the Tesco food order in the virtual trolley and am ready to press 'send' as soon as the Christmas delivery slots become available! I wonder if they have a finite number available??
The little one and I put up the Nativity scene on Sunday and we found the Advent calendars that have chocolate to be put into the pockets each day!
We are beginning to feel festive and have been listening to Christmas music! The presents are nearly all bought (but not wrapped yet.... eek!) and some of the cards have been written! I'm making my cards again this year but haven't got as organised as I'd like.
It's very cold here today and we had to scrape ice of the car this morning and tonight we have a fire lit!
It is 17 days until my Army son is home and 13 days until my eldest is home from Uni. So apart from Christmas the little one and I have family arrivals to look forward to and to prepare for! It's so exciting!!
My Army Son said they had Christmas lunch today (early hey?) and the Officers waited on them which was a new experience!
My little one said on his table at school he's the one called the 'Christmas Freak of the Week'! Whatever that means - I have no idea! Tonight he gave me a catalogue with all the items circled that he'd like for Christmas - just a little too late - how can I explain that one?
I have got the Tesco food order in the virtual trolley and am ready to press 'send' as soon as the Christmas delivery slots become available! I wonder if they have a finite number available??
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Gone until Christmas!
My son returned to training today and I hate saying good-bye :(
It's only for a few weeks until Christmas; but it's been great having him home although I know he was itching to get back to his new 'brothers'!
I wonder if I will ever really get used to this ... My daughter will be home from Uni for reading week soon, so I have something to look forward to!
Being a mother is so painful at times - apparently 'Empty Nest Syndrome' is a real psychological condition when one or more children leave home - it's more prevalent in the Autumn when children go to college.
I'm pleased that I still have my little one.... But I miss the other two more than I thought!
Empty Nest help from Parentline plus
It's only for a few weeks until Christmas; but it's been great having him home although I know he was itching to get back to his new 'brothers'!
I wonder if I will ever really get used to this ... My daughter will be home from Uni for reading week soon, so I have something to look forward to!
Being a mother is so painful at times - apparently 'Empty Nest Syndrome' is a real psychological condition when one or more children leave home - it's more prevalent in the Autumn when children go to college.
I'm pleased that I still have my little one.... But I miss the other two more than I thought!
Empty Nest help from Parentline plus
Sunday, 18 October 2009
He's home!
We went to the 'Passing-in' Parade on Friday - I was so proud! It was great to see where he lives and meet some of his section. We had a presentation by the Commanding Officer and learnt what he has been doing for the last six weeks.
I wept when I saw him - so tall and formidable and in his uniform. The Junior Soldiers put on their regimental head dress for the first time which was moving for all of them - thinking of the history behind their badge and the soldiers that had gone before; some of whom had died for their country.
The living areas were not exactly what I had expected! My son was keen for me to see his locker which had taken so many hours to perfect the layout and the boots he had spent many hours polishing to a high sheen.
What I am having difficulty comprehending is how awesome the change is in him. He looks the same (only leaner) but his brain is completely different. His thought processes are altered. His priorities are changed. He isn't mine anymore - he belongs to the army through and through. I feel that if I were to cut him open it would say 'British Army' - just like a piece of seaside rock. It has only been 6 weeks - how can that be achieved? Hard work and discipline? It is certainly miraculous. No doubt this is only the beginning. I wonder what he will be like after a year? Will we still be able to converse about normal every day things?
Last night we were walking down the street - he even walks differently! He has poise, self confidence and body language that screams, 'Don't mess with me!'
It is so lovely to have him home and I'm just going to savour every second!
I wept when I saw him - so tall and formidable and in his uniform. The Junior Soldiers put on their regimental head dress for the first time which was moving for all of them - thinking of the history behind their badge and the soldiers that had gone before; some of whom had died for their country.
The living areas were not exactly what I had expected! My son was keen for me to see his locker which had taken so many hours to perfect the layout and the boots he had spent many hours polishing to a high sheen.
What I am having difficulty comprehending is how awesome the change is in him. He looks the same (only leaner) but his brain is completely different. His thought processes are altered. His priorities are changed. He isn't mine anymore - he belongs to the army through and through. I feel that if I were to cut him open it would say 'British Army' - just like a piece of seaside rock. It has only been 6 weeks - how can that be achieved? Hard work and discipline? It is certainly miraculous. No doubt this is only the beginning. I wonder what he will be like after a year? Will we still be able to converse about normal every day things?
Last night we were walking down the street - he even walks differently! He has poise, self confidence and body language that screams, 'Don't mess with me!'
It is so lovely to have him home and I'm just going to savour every second!
Saturday, 10 October 2009
6 days to go!!!
Well it's only 6 days until I get to see my son and bring him home for a week! Hurrah! These six weeks have dragged so much and I'm so looking forward to seeing him and having a proper conversation rather than snatched snippets of conversation on a mobile or text message.
I was on the Jeremy Vine show this week on BBC Radio 2! The topic was, 'would you let your son or daughter join the army and fight in Afghanistan?' I basically said that no matter how painful it is for a parent you have to let your children go - fly the nest, grow up and make their own decisions. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n2w3z It'll only be a live link for 5 days from today - the army discussion is one hour in for half an hour - my 30 seconds of fame is about 25 minutes through the 30 minute section.
My son has to pass 3 tests before he is allowed to 'pass in' to the Army next week. The little one has dubbed this the 'Tri-soldier challenge' as in the Tri-wizard challenge in Harry Potter!! He has passed two so only one to go. Fingers crossed!
I'm going to be one of the proudest Mum's there on Friday!
I was on the Jeremy Vine show this week on BBC Radio 2! The topic was, 'would you let your son or daughter join the army and fight in Afghanistan?' I basically said that no matter how painful it is for a parent you have to let your children go - fly the nest, grow up and make their own decisions. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n2w3z It'll only be a live link for 5 days from today - the army discussion is one hour in for half an hour - my 30 seconds of fame is about 25 minutes through the 30 minute section.
My son has to pass 3 tests before he is allowed to 'pass in' to the Army next week. The little one has dubbed this the 'Tri-soldier challenge' as in the Tri-wizard challenge in Harry Potter!! He has passed two so only one to go. Fingers crossed!
I'm going to be one of the proudest Mum's there on Friday!
Sunday, 27 September 2009
The deadliest buzz
In the Sunday Times today there is a review by Max Hastings of a new book about the war in Afghanistan. The book is 'Desperate Glory: At War in Helmand with Britain's 16 Air Assault Brigade' by Sam Kiley. The review starts by saying there is a one in ten chance on a British infantryman in Helmand suffering death or a life changing injury.
One in ten????
Yet Sam Kiley says in his book that almost every front line soldier he has met is loving the war. 'They are getting to play the most exhilarating and dangerous game man as ever invented - the original sport.'
Whaat? Is this true?? Is this really what men on the front line think?
Sam goes on to say that it is part of the basic male instinct , the army takes the instinct, nurtures and refines it. apparently one in three members of one unit which Kiley was attached was killed or wounded.
One in three???? What is the point? The book admits that the war is unwinnable. What are we doing to our young men and their families? The original sport? I'm sure these young men can get a buzz and adrenalin rush in other, less devastating ways.
Elsewhere in the paper today there is a heart-rending piece about a young army wife left with two small children. The article details how the wife felt when the two officers arrived at her door to tell her that her husband was dead. She says she felt that if she didn't open the door, then the news wouldn't be true. Another sad tale. The real life story that carries on - once the young men have completed their part in what Kiley calls, 'the greatest adventure on earth'. Women and children, young families left only with grief and memories. Tragic.
One in ten????
Yet Sam Kiley says in his book that almost every front line soldier he has met is loving the war. 'They are getting to play the most exhilarating and dangerous game man as ever invented - the original sport.'
Whaat? Is this true?? Is this really what men on the front line think?
Sam goes on to say that it is part of the basic male instinct , the army takes the instinct, nurtures and refines it. apparently one in three members of one unit which Kiley was attached was killed or wounded.
One in three???? What is the point? The book admits that the war is unwinnable. What are we doing to our young men and their families? The original sport? I'm sure these young men can get a buzz and adrenalin rush in other, less devastating ways.
Elsewhere in the paper today there is a heart-rending piece about a young army wife left with two small children. The article details how the wife felt when the two officers arrived at her door to tell her that her husband was dead. She says she felt that if she didn't open the door, then the news wouldn't be true. Another sad tale. The real life story that carries on - once the young men have completed their part in what Kiley calls, 'the greatest adventure on earth'. Women and children, young families left only with grief and memories. Tragic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
