Ike Homecoming!!

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Comment by Kathryn on August 16, 2009 at 7:51pm

Great pics Rhonda. Thanks for posting.

Comment by Proud ABH Mom on August 16, 2009 at 4:25pm

Nice pics PNM Rhonda!

Comment by Kathryn on August 16, 2009 at 11:35am

For all of you who may not have seen them yet, there are a lot of videos on You Tube of the Homecoming. There is one particular series that has close up scans of the sailors manning the rails. Might be worth a look to see if you can find yours. Plus there is one released by the Navy taken on the ship itself showing them marching to the rails and even releasing the lei.

Comment by PNM Rhonda on August 16, 2009 at 9:28am

Vicki - I too can feel your pride just in reading your post. It's an awesome thing to see them grow up and appreciate mom and dad again. I'm hanging in there for the 16 yr old to feel that way. He's a good kid though so far, has big brother giving him a lot of advice.

Comment by PNM Rhonda on August 16, 2009 at 9:26am

ABH - so glad you got that phone call in the early morning. I really believe you will start to see that maturity. While he was home you really didn't put demands on him like gf did - I bet that is something that is going to stick in his head and that phone call was probably just as important to him as it was to you. Will keep you in my prayers. I was telling Leann I had three teenagers spending the night Friday night with 16 yr old so yesterday had to make all the beds, find all the gatorade botles and ping pong balls that end up in the strangest places haha BOYS - gotta love em.

Comment by Proud ABH Mom on August 15, 2009 at 10:02pm

WIse words Kathryn....

Comment by Kathryn on August 15, 2009 at 7:40pm

It is so tough sometime being a mother and I think it is even tougher to mother a son. Especially a "grown" son (notice the quotation marks). It has taken me a long time to accept and even longer to understand but I truly believe that "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" theory (wasn't I just talking about this the other day?) Guys just think differently from us and express themselves differently. It doesn't mean they don't love us but it just never occurs to them to tell us or show us sometimes. Plus I think back to when I was 19 years old and moved out of my parents house to be on my own. A big rebellion thing for me there. It used to make me mad because my dad would tell me that the reason my mom and I didn't get along was because we were so much alike. Took me almost 15 years to realize how right he was. Sometimes pride and stubborness get in the way of a young person trying to prove themselves. This may be the case with you son, ABH. I know with me and my mother it did. I always loved her but I was too stupid to admit it even to myself sometimes. So now when either one of my kids gives me that kind of grief I try to just think back and say a little silent prayer hoping to have the patience that my mother must have needed with me. It all worked out. When she passed away a friend of hers came up to me at the funeral and whispered "your mother loved all of you very much (there are 5 kids in my family), but you were the one closest to her heart." I was so greatful for those words and will cherish them always.

Comment by Proud ABH Mom on August 15, 2009 at 6:03pm

Aw... Vicki....that gave me goosebumps. I can feel the pride in your message. Glad he's doing so well!

Comment by vicki on August 15, 2009 at 5:24pm

Nicholas left this morning at 4:30 for Virginia Beach. He called each leg of the flights. He's "home" now and has a few days to settle back in. ABH I agree with PNM Rhonda. Nick was difficult before and during the first year his was in the Navy. He thought he was so smart and so tough! I worried about him and the "trouble" he'd get himself into. He knew everything and we knew NOTHING!
Well, this visit was so different. He has matured in so many ways He spent more time here with his father and I. Came home every night. I had a nice talk with him Friday night. I told him how proud I was of him and impressed with the man he is becoming. He thanked both his father and I for being there for him. Deployment was harder than he imagined it would be. He really missed family. He's going to be 22 this December. Watching him go through the airport wasn't as hard this time for me. I saw a confident, strong young man and felt so lucky he was my son!

Comment by Proud ABH Mom on August 15, 2009 at 4:44pm

Thanks PNM Rhonda....I hope I am encouraging someone in the same way as you are for me years down the road. I am feeling better today. It's all a cycle - isn't it?

Hubby & I were laughing this morning about all of this....6:15 the phone rings....it's our sailor. My first thought is WHAT'S WRONG?!?!?!?!?.... only to find out he is now working 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shifts on base...he just got off of work, was heading to the gym, and knew I would be up because I am usually at work by 6 a.m. Only when he didn't get me at work did he remember it was Saturday! We had a nice chat, he spoke to Dad then....when we hung up hubby & I both commented that we just spoke to him more early this morning that we did all of last week. LOL!!!!

We will continue to be there for him. He sure is doing more with his life than many others at 20 years old. For that I am so grateful!

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