Hi. I am amazed to find myself here, since I always swore blogging was one thing I wouldn't do, who would be interested in my life? I'm just an average person. But I have learned that there really are few if any "average" people, and my life sure hasn't been.
As you can see from my title, I am the mom of an Army soldier. I decided to create this cause I spent months trying to find a serious on line place for families other than spouses or children of military troops, especially Army, to share their thoughts , fears, ideas, coping mechanisms and stories. Also to offer support to each other. Spouses and kids of enlisted people are more than wellcome, everyone is. But I didn't start this to foster political arguments. No problem with agreeing to disagree like adults and talk about our feelings/frustrations. My blog is here so my experiences can be shared and I really hope others will join in. I became incredibly frustrated looking for help. Everywhere I turned I was told " these services are for spouses or children of service people only". Well guess what, I would say a huge portion of the soldiers enlisting are doing it the way my boy did, before or right after high school. And most of them are not married with kids. I am not being sarcastic or rude here, just so you know, I also have a niece who is married to a very young man in the Army. I love him too and care deeply about them and their two kids. But I got to see firsthand how much support the Army extends to spouses and children. I think its awesome! But what about a 17 yr old who early enlists and is not looking to get married or have kids till he is much, much older. My son also became very frustrated and angry when he tried to get some help for me with serious medical problems and a loan to save our family home, and the army pretty much said sorry kid, shes just your mom. I was a nurse on my way to work one night when a drunken idiot with no insurance t boned me at high speed, severely injuring me. That moment ended my professional life, our financial health, since I was 2/3 of our income, and almost ended my life. Things are way better now, and in retrospect it may have been a good thing in disguise. But my health has deteriorated including rheumatoid arthritis. That brings me to my second reason for this blog. I promised my son to keep a journal and wanted to anyway to keep a history of this most difficult time in my life. I cant write more than about five sentences, but obviously typing is easier.
I wellcome anyone, from any walk of life, who wants to post. Only absolute requirement here is civility. If u come to be hurtful to others or criticize military families go to another blog. This is here to try and help.
As a first step let me say, right after I learned of my sons deployment, I thought I was going to die. I was so lost and terrified. No one understood. In desperation I called the local Veterans affairs office in Bath NY and was directed to a veterans counselor. At that point I was almost hysterical in panic and fear, I was crying. He could barely understand me. This wonderful man calmed me down, and when I apologized for taking his time since I know he was a vets counselor , he told me he was there for families also and nothing right then was more important than what was happening to me and my soldier. over the course of more than a year, this man has been my lifeline. My son deployed to the stan last year, and on top of that for a year before that he was posted in Italy, wonderful for him but not so great for mom. Thank God for magic jack. When he left to go in country the VA counselor was always there for me, when I called or he would call me right back. His patience is legendary. Although I'm not a group person, he convinced my son and I to attend a group meeting . He happened to be speaking, so after more than a year I met the unsung hero who saved my life. Now my son and I go to two monthly meetings for support, and it has been wonderfully useful
There is so much more I could say, but will save some for next post.
All people with a loved one or friend in any military service , including the Coast Guard who I tried to join despite my asthma, anyone who needs to talk about any related issue is welcome. But mainly I want to hear from other army parents, siblings, I'm here and I have learned the answers to some questions.
I was also helped a great deal by the local American Legion , and red cross . As a result I will be volunteering with the red cross at least one day a week.
you are all welcome, just treat everyone as u would wish to be treated.Next entry will tell you more about my family, esp my soldier.
Hooah to you all, and lets stay strong, and help each other stay strong.
Army mom
No comments:
Post a Comment