"The Box"

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Permalink Reply by danasmom on March 26, 2008 at 4:36am

I would never have thought!. Do kids actually try to take any contraband with them? I just thought it was strange. The Box looked like they stripped right there and into the box it went. She planned ahead thank goodness, knew she could keep her wallet so all pictures that were small she could keep. I thought it was odd also that they couldnt even keep their bras . Hard to find a DDD/DDDD in all cotton! She couldnt even keep her monthly supplies even though there were just a few. Leaving tonight PIF in 2 days!.

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Permalink Reply by theresa sonnie on March 30, 2008 at 7:16pm

we were so happy to get the box'but my youngest son would not let us open it for almost a month. He was real close to his older brother.

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Permalink Reply by Joy W on June 6, 2008 at 10:12pm

Received "the box" today. Was quite upset by it. No note or anything just a box full of everything she brought with her. She purchased the white sneakers , undergarments as listed and everything else on the list the recruiter had given her, size and amount Why was it all returned to us? I searched thru everything hoping to find a little note or something with her writing on it. Can't wait till tomorrow to speak with the recruiter to get a mailing address and to question why she gave her a list that was useless. Anyone else have this happen?

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Permalink Reply by Joy W on June 6, 2008 at 10:54pm

Thanks Shell. It was exciting at first thinking there might be a note in there. Then when I saw everything except the 8oz shampoo bottle came back, I thought for an awful moment omg something happened to her and they won't tell us since she's over 18. guess if only partial stuff came back i wouldn't have had that awful thought. My husband basically shrugged it off saying this happens in bootcamp and keeps saying to me what do you think it is a summer kids camp? (he is ret-USN and was a recruiter for over 20 yrs). Wish I did join sooner but just thankful I found everyone sooner than later. Thanks again, Joy

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Permalink Reply by Laura on June 6, 2008 at 10:48pm

When I received my daughters "box" it was like they were sending me back an urn of ashes. I rushed to bring it up to my bedroom and cried for hours, fell a sleep and cried the next day. She left May 13th and I still haven't unpacked her "box" it sits in her bedroom opened and unwashed. I realized it was the death of a child and the birth of an adult. That it was not like college, I could not call her when I wanted to make sure she was o.k., she would not be comming home for the summer or holidays, and that this is just the house she grew up in, not where she lives any more. It's hard to realize she is most likely gone for good. Her bedroom is just a storage area for her stuff until she can send for them. I think this "box" was the hardest thing for a mom because it represents independence and a loss of control as a parent. It is a very emotional but a neccesary thing to let your child grow up, but it still doesn't stop me from having tears once and while.

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Permalink Reply by Joy W on June 6, 2008 at 11:08pm

My husband took out the clothes and washed them right away. I went through it hoping to find the note that was never in there. Still going to call the recruiter and ask why they gave that detailed list when everything is returned and try to get an address to write to her.
You are right. Guess we do have to let go. The box is the reality check.

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Permalink Reply by Laura on June 6, 2008 at 11:42pm

I refuse to wash her things. I want to be able to smell her again. I have a niece who lost her husband last year in a snow mobile accident, he was 39 and left 5 young kids. My niece refused to wash the sheets for months. She didn't want to change them for fear that this is the last thing she has of him is his smell. Some people are very sensitive to smells. I think it is hard for a man to understand that, particular for moms, the first thing we do when we give birth is smell them. (besides counting toes).

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Permalink Reply by dusty's mom on June 6, 2008 at 11:09pm

I was expecting the box. As we took things out we layed his clothes on the floor. The dog came up and rubbed her face all over the clothes. She was ecstatic. Very funny and very sweet.
Suzi

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Permalink Reply by Joy W on June 6, 2008 at 11:18pm

Aww Suzi that is cute. Our dogs look at her bedroom door then back at us like what is going on?

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Permalink Reply by Donna on June 6, 2008 at 11:30pm

I was upset & happy. I was upset because he was gone and all I got was this box full of his stuff. I was also happy because at least I received something from him. So, I guess it was a mixed blessing.

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Permalink Reply by Kimberly Rad Bryan's Mom! on June 6, 2008 at 11:47pm

I went through that box looking for any little sign that Bryan was trying to get me a message! I went to work the next day and said to a friend that the Navy sent my kid home in a box! She was beside herself! I was kidding! I knew about the box though! I kind of laughed about it like it was Bryan's last parting gift to Mom! To do his dirty laundry one last time!

I know it is difficult to see all your children's stuff in that box. For me it was a sign that he was there and on his way. Trying to look at it in a positive light. I think for me, there were other things that made me sad. Like when I made my first meal for one...I ate cookies for dinner. Or the first night I spent alone in the house. Oh yeah...last weekend I cleaned out his closet upstairs and packed most of his clothes away. It is moments like last weekend that I get the thought that it is real and he is not really ever coming home again to live. Bryan has been gone since February and I still have days where I miss him and tear up or even have a good cry over it all. I happy for him and extremely proud, but I am and will always be Mom and he my son!

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Permalink Reply by Sherri Burkard on June 7, 2008 at 7:51am

I knew the box would be coming, but when it came if felt like my heart just stopped. I too felt like she was gone!! I opened it up and smelled her clothes and cried. I actually even hugged them for the longest time. The thing that really got me was in the bottom of the box was her phone, and that was her lifeline, so then I really felt like she was gone (dead). I was worthless the rest of the day, pacing the house and yard, the first two weeks I really didn't know what to do with myself, I burst into tears over something silly when all reality was I missed her something terrible. Then one day was clearing my camera and ran across a silly video of her right before she left, I sat outside watching it laughing and crying!!
Now I just cry when she calls, because she is crying! That tears me into again and again!!!!!!!!!!

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