Last week before graduation (!)

Posted by Peter S on March 10, 2017 at 10:15am

My son is in the March 17th PIR and we are going up to see it (anyone else going to this one? We'll talk!). This has been quite a journey. I didn't hear from my son for the first 3 weeks or so and when I did , I got the sense that he was pretty stressed..the two calls I got calls in this early period were short and I was always left with the thought that there had to be some piece of advice or encouragement that I must have just missed saying. I remember one time thinking I wish I'd reminded him he was halfway through already. (Like he didn't know, right?)  

But then by the time week 4+ rolled around I've gotten a couple of calls since then.. and he sounds confident, good. I've personally written around 15 letters and encouraged my family to send some too, and I definitely think letters from home helped. Anyhow, he's got this.

I was just thinking-- I was 30 years old before I had kids, and I remember reflecting that I didn't really know what "adulthood" meant until I had kids of my own. Now that my son's about to be a sailor- I feel as if I hadn't known what fatherhood is until this moment. Now I reckon that Fatherhood is really about the responsibility of bringing someone else into capable adulthood or at least as far as you can get them. And if I can mentor my son to pass his drivers license test, graduate high school, that's a pretty good start. What he has been able to do all by himself (well, I'll find out here in a week I guess) is become a US Navy Sailor, so I guess I done my job alright.  I couldn't be more proud.

Stay free,

Peter




 

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Replies

  • Becky Liberatore March 12, 2017 at 5:50pm
    I just wanted to help the best i could c: im about to start counting down hours instead of days!
  • Navy Dads Co-Admin Tom March 12, 2017 at 9:28am

    Peter.....When that door opens on March 17th, you will feel an unimaginable swell of pride in your Son. Then you will realize the reward for all of the years of setting the example and being a great Dad! It is a moment that you will always remember....so shed a few tears of joy....you have earned it!

  • John Alan DeMarco March 12, 2017 at 8:22am
    Thanks for sharing your experience Peter. My son graduated last September and the feelings are still fresh and I am still adjusting. People tell me constantly I did such a good job. I credit God and the others who crossed my sons path also. One thing I learned from him. I didn't always do evethrjng right, but he appreciated me modeling consistently, and morality. And doing what I asked him to do. Good luck to your sailor. I firmly believe a community raises a child. Thanks for you and your families service. Enjoy PIR
  • Peter S March 10, 2017 at 1:20pm

    I should have known better than to try and compete with my sons girlfriend...

    Looking forward to the trip with you next week!

    Becky Liberatore said:

    I've sent 17 letters to him and my second call was way better than the first. I think he's definitely doing better and I'm so excited for him!! (And you've done a great job as a father! )
  • Becky Liberatore March 10, 2017 at 12:13pm
    I've sent 17 letters to him and my second call was way better than the first. I think he's definitely doing better and I'm so excited for him!! (And you've done a great job as a father! )
  • Sarah H March 10, 2017 at 11:08am
    Excellent advice thank you!!! Will do! Good luck in A school:)
  • Peter S March 10, 2017 at 10:54am

    Sarah and Dan-- thanks so much. Didn't realize anyone would write back, haha. 

    If I can give you one piece of advice as a parent at the beginning of a Boot camp - go to http://www.write2them.org/ (or there might be some other places that do the same thing). You register your sailors boot camp address and they can turn emails into actual letters. i was able to write most of my letters that way. I sent a few hand written letters and cards before I found out about this service but I think it was well worth it. I'm probably  going to keep it going when he goes to A school too.

  • Sarah H March 10, 2017 at 10:32am
    Great words of encouragement for those of us just beginning! Thank you and congratulations!
  • Dan Mountjoy March 10, 2017 at 10:23am

    Congratulations to you and your son, Peter!  My son just arrived on Monday, so am waiting in anticipation of his box and the form letter.  Long way to go, but I'm keeping the faith!

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