Back from family day. Loved spending time with my son. Hotel wasn't great but was close to Benning that is what counts right???? Anyway might have been better to stay at home, when we dropped him off. It was soo hard. These good-bys are getting so tough. I keep telling myself 1 month left. Just one more month. And then he reports to Ft. Hood. Who am I kidding. 3 more years is more like it. I miss him already. Sad thing is I have 2 other kids at home. I should be able to take this in stride, but I can't shake it.

Hey Melissa. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. No, it's never better to stay home. I know that "hole in the heart" feeling, and of course, having the other kids at home kind of makes it worse, because then you feel guilty about not giving them what they need.
Lets see...all I can do is say how sorry I am that you're hurting right now.
One of the things that helps me through times like this is trying to see just one good thing each day, something funny, something beautiful--just one thing. The other thing that helps is looking each one of the kids I have still around straight in the eye, and just seeing them.
That kid won't replace the one who's gone, and that's okay. But. Recognizing that child, and loving that other child, too, is what makes mothers heroes. Because we're daring our hearts to keep loving and keep beating even though it hurts.
You can do it. You can do it. You can do it. Sending you lots of love, lots of prayers. Take care, Melissa. The grieving process has it's own agenda, but it won't last your lifetime, I promise.

I know and I do. I love every minute with my kids. All of them.It was good seeing him. He looked very nice in his dress uniform. My other two they didnt go with us but they will in March when he graduates. I have an 11 yr old named Ian and an 8 year old named Emily. They are awesome through this. I do believe my son is shaking the middle child syndrome,, lol

hello mom of darian i wanted to tell you my son had his graduation last week and i was unable to go due to health problems and it is definitly not easier not to go. my daughter in law brought me back great pictures and i was able to talk to him on the phone.. but it only made me miss him all the more. he starts jump school today. and i am sooo very proud of him. but i just want him close. i want to be able to hug him and kid him and just do all the normal things a mom d0es for her son. but instead i just pine away like i have already lost him and yet he is just in georgia. my family laughs at me and reminds me he is doing something great for himself and our country. but i just want my little boy back home.

Oh my god, I know,,, Its like they don't realise---WE KNOW-- but it doesn't help. They don't realise the fears, the sadness that this comes with.. I am lucky I have an older cousin whose son went through this. So I have someone who can understand. Its so hard. I don't understand it either. I am so very proud of my son... I can't tell you how proud. But at the same time, I'am greiving something fierce. I would give anything to hear his voice, lol. I am so sorry you missed his graduation. I am afraid that I may not make it to my sons, I don't really have the money for the hotel. But If I have to sleep in my car I will go and maybe just maybe he can help me out. I hate that though but I am not sure what I can do. I am the only one going besides his dad who is in another state. Well, me and his siblings.

Hi Melissa,
I just got back from Ft. Benning as well for Family Weekend. And I can completely understand how you are feeling. When I dropped him off I cried like a baby...it was so very hard leaving him there. And as you, i keep thinking I will see him in 4 weeks for graduation. My son will actually stay there beause he is going to Airborne training. I was really moved and had tears in my eyes when I walked out of the classroom and saw the group standing in formation...it was very moving. Where did you travel from? I researched the hotels pretty good and i stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Phenix City - it was exactly 9 miles to the security entrance and very convenient as I had to take 1 exit from the highway and I was at Ft. Benning. There are a few other hotels that i can recommend as well. If you want to discuss or just need someone to talk to feel free to email me at Lisagm626@aol.com.