empty nest

They send them back home???? nooooooooo!!!!!!

Yeah the day is almost here and we are all getting butterflies. It will be a good thing for James.. Some kids need a push to get their life going and the corps provides that, they did for me. I really think that he will succeed in the military environment. and if nothing else it provides a safe structured place for him to grow up a little more. I hate to see unmotivated kids failing on the streets and ending up homeless and with drug and alcohol problems when they could be learning how to work, something not taught in schools these days, having a room, food and a goal is not something every kid gets a chance at and I think more should go into the military to get their life straight. It has gotten to the point that if you are screwed up you can’t get into the military. You have to graduate, be clean, no arrest record etc.. There is getting to be no place for kids to go and start over.. Well the French foreign legion but they make you learn French and that’s just not good. Next thing you know you will be walking around with your hands in the air for no reason.
 
Tom and Susan-

Such a mixed bag of joy and sorrow!

Kids leaving home, parents nearing the end, pets passing along just like any other member of the family....

My mom had her 90th birthday in August, is in an assisted living home, and will probably live to be 100, like my grandfather! She's wonderful, but still places demands on us. Bless her!

My son, now 37, is home and doing very well and becoming a pretty much fully responsible adult after nearly 20 years of substance abuse problems that put us to the test daily. Thank God that's over! Made us ask why and how a million times over. No logical answers ever given from anyone, or God, for that matter.

We've had to put down to wonderful Great Danes after their relatively short 10 year life spans. Hold their head in your hands and feel the life slip away as the sleep giving medecine was given. Rest in peace my wonderful friends.

Life is good, life is hard, but we'll survive it's trials until we, ourselves, pass on.

In the meantime, keep your chin up, your boat in the water, your rod baited, and enjoy life!

Joe.
 
When our last kid when to college, we quit our jobs, sold the house, gave away most everything, and hiked from Georgia to Maine. Then, we took off to New Zealand for six months and flipped over to Australia for another six months -- wonderful time of re-discovering each other. By the way, that re-discovery continues (and now with kids and grandkids). Our empty nest was the beginning of a new life for us -- a wonderful time.
 
dotnmarty":56kwcry4 said:
It's all true. God saved the best for last-the grandchildren. :gift
Click to expand...

It's also HIS way of getting even with your kids! :shock:

Just kidding, we've got 5 and they are all great. Just a related story, when my eldest daughter went off to William and Mary for college, she told us that she wished she'd get a "valentine" in the Wash Post some year, she'd never had one. That spring, I sent her one:

:love AMY :love

We're glad you're happy at William and Mary
You really can be quite contrary
And now that you've finally found yours
We've changed the locks on all the doors

She now has two kids of her own, they're smart and contrary, just like she was. What goes around comes around :hug

Just kidding, Love Mom and Dad
 
Thankyou all so much for sharing stories. It really makes me feel better to hear them. and it is very comforting to know that this is just normal bitter sweet life and that i am not alone in trying to sort it all out. It is just bizzare to have joy, sorrow, worry and relief at all once.

thanks
susan
 
Well to day was the day for the dog. We had to put cyper down today and susan is really taking it hard. she has had cyper for 13 years and was her first dog that was not the family or her dads dog but just her dog. He was areally good dog for her and more like her kid then just her dog. He will be missed and hard to replace. She took him everywhere when camping traveling or visiting, her own personnal guard and campainion. When i moved in cyper would grawl at me when every susna and I were in bed. took him awhile to get over being set to second place in the pecking order. I never had to worry about her alone with him around. Anyhow the house is really empty now.
 
starcrafttom":190onlxq said:
Well to day was the day for the dog. ...
Click to expand...

Tom and Susan,

Our sincere sympathies. This is a tough time... a time that those of us who cherish our furry kids certainly understand. Our hearts go out to you. While the house feels empty, please know that you are not alone - you can come here any time to cry on the shoulders of your friends. And you certainly have many friends here. Our furry kids depend on us... you were there for Cyper, just as he had been there for you for all those years.

Heart-felt condolences,
Jim & Joan
 
Tom and Susan,
Our deepest sympathies. Deena and I have been there too, and though it is never easy, take heart that the best memories will last the longest. We just got back home from checking on my Mom (95 on 17 Nov) and she has just recently taken a serious decline. Our empty nest time has been spent thinking about boating, going to the far corners of the state, Walla Walla or Portland to check on aging parents, and thinking about boating, and thinking about boating. and occasionally going boating. We have both had dogs for long a long time, and currently we love every dog that comes by but they just aren't ours now.

Spend some time together, go boating, ( I liked that idea early on "Tom, take up fishing", but I think you already know all there is to know about that.) Find something where you two can volunteer together, and share your talents, (Power Squadron of CGA). your son will be back, and he will be your son, but he will be a man, as you know Boot camp and military life will initiate a maturing affect.

Congratulations, you are normal, (well some better than normal) and life will go on and get better for you both. Best wishes for peace for you both.

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Tom and Susan-

Can't add much to what's already been said on this thread, other than to say we're all really thinking of you and knowing things will work out in the long run, although the sorrow is hard to bear. In the long run, the fond memories will be with you forever.

Joe. :rainbow
 
A BIG SEMPER FI TO YOU AND YOUR SON, JAMES!
04/1968 TO 01/1972. HOLLYWOOD, MCRD
MOTIVATION, DISCIPLINE, DESIRE, DEDICATION, PRIDE, SAYS IT ALL.
KEEP US INFORMED ON YOUR SONS EXPERIENCES.
BEST REGARDS
PAT
A SALTY 33 MONTHS TIME IN GRADE, E-4
 
Agian thanks everyone for the words of support. Susan is taking it hard. I just got a call from a good freind alex letting me know that his boxer,nico, passed away yesterday to and I had to let him about cyper. I really feel sorry for his other boxer, they dont know where the other dog went. we are taking all of the cypers stuff, food ,beds, toy.... to the pound for them to us.
 
Tom. Sorry for the tuff times Brother. Today will end just like yesterday did. We are not promised tomorrow and/or even the end of this day. I take pleasure in you sharing your good times with me, both you and Susan. We have had many a laugh playing around as C-Brats. James is target on about new phases/travels/freedoms in life. You have done a great job in raising your son. Reflected IS his ability to join any of the DOD branches of service today. Many, Many...too many of today's youth can not for one reason or several. You have a good young man on your hands, and he too will do our Country a great job.

I do not give advice...directly...but I share what I think Byrdman would do if I were in Tom's shoes today. Reflecting on a few days back...I had a two hour unexpected pause, on the highway driving down to the Gulf to join some fellow C-Brats. A great time was had. We all made it there. A person on the same road as me that morning, did not. I got a great phone call from a friend whom I had boated and shared times on the water with calling me to ensure that I was not the poor man they were speaking of on the local radio channels. He knew I should be in the area, and I was, but an hour later than I should have been. So, I will post this picture, of that day, and that moment in my life.

This picture is not to freak folks out. It is not of us enjoying ourselves on our boat. It is about how today's life on this earth may end before our next boat ride and/or great gathering of C-Brat friends. My C-Brat family has been my extended family for years, in several states.

In my minds eye, you are at a point of celebration in your life for having had the opportunity be part of the USMC, allowing you to give back to our Great Country (speaking English...which is a good thing :mrgreen: ), of having a focused, great Son who is willing AND ABLE :thup :thup to join one of our Country's great services, a wonderful beautiful sparkling eyed wife who loves to boat with you.... on your great boat.

Tighten up the boot straps brother...and you two go have a great trip on your boat and give Thanks for your blessings life has given you to include the great times with a great pet, and hard ass Dad doing his best to keep you in order...as so you could have these pleasures in life. I did make it to the Gulf, had a blast with a boat load of folks on my boat, and I think really only Jeff from C-Pearl saw a tear or two in my eyes knowing what a great day in my life that Saturday out in the Gulf was...and that the only thing that could have made it better, would have been for my great hard ass Father to still be alive and joined me on my boat (named after him) on that sunny day.

Go life life now....Right now!! tomorrow may never come.

Byrdman
Fatal_Wreck_Enroute_To_Gathering.jpg
 
Tom and Susan, you have our deepest sympathys for Cyper. Give each other lots of hugs, and imagine a few from us too!

Congratulations to James on this big step that he is taking. I know that you are proud of him! and you have every right to be so!
 
Byrdman,
I've seen carnage like that repeatedly over the past 30 years in my occupation. Our daughter no longer questions wife Carol (a nurse), or me when we say "no" because she has stated that she doesn't want to hear the vivid and gruesome stories that we share with her as to why we don't want her to do something!

Always HUG your family, when you say good bye! I KNOW we do!
 
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