Reflections

We made it back home Friday night after 12 hours straight driving. Between Shelby and me driving, we made great time. I thought I would write about my thoughts about the last few days so here goes.
There were so many guys of different nationality, beliefs, and all around different values that we met. I was truly impressed by the guys that Cody hung out with. One in particular was Aaron Burgess from California. His dad and little brother were there and we spent some time with them. What impressed me the most was that when we took Cody back that first night, both guys had books in their hands that they were taking to AIT with them. Codys was an Army soldier bible that I had gave him and Burgess' was...another Bible. Wow...that brought a tear to my eye to think that out of 240 men there, Cody had made friends with a fellow Christian. Birds of a feather...
On the last day, we stayed around to observe the end of day rituals. The guys had roll call, dropped for push-ups, repeated cadences, etc. That was really cool to see. But, I also counted my lucky stars for the kind of man that Cody had become. There were men there that had wives, babies, small children, girlfriends, and other family and friends visiting. It was so sad seeing the faces and hearing the cries of the small children that didn't understand daddy being left behind. The babies didn't seem to notice mommy crying because daddy couldn't come home with her.
There were pregnant wives/girlfriends clinging on like their life depended on it. Grown men crying because they were sacrificing their families for OUR COUNTRY. I was so thankful that Cody had held firm to not have a girl left behind. He had said that he didn't want to have someone back home missing and waiting for him. The important women (you know who you are) needed to be able to go out and have a good time and not worry about him. He would be back and if a relationship was meant to be, it would happen at that time. Now was a time for him to focus and dedicate to being the best soldier he could be. For this I thank God that he is going into this with all his heart.
But, no matter how much I enjoyed my time with my family and getting to see my son, I am so glad to be home. They always say that there's no place like home.
I thought it was kinda funny when we got out to the hotel and the manager told us that the next day was supposed to be hot and humid. Well...we told him that we were from Mississippi and we were ready for anything. The wind blew...constantly! The temp got up in the 80s and there was humidity (at least that's what they were saying). Poor Burgess and his family were talking about how miserably hot and sticky they had been all day. We never broke a sweat! Burgess will be spending 5 months in Georgia...we told him to get prepared for a long miserable summer. If Oklahoma was bad, just wait for the Southern summer! California must have wonderful weather all the time because they said that they had never experienced this kind of humidity! Wow...I can't imagine.
We said our goodbyes and watched the troops go up to their barracks. Went to bed preparing to return home the next day. Cody was sceduled to leave for the airport at 7:30 the next morning for a 9:45 flight out to Dallas. To my surprise, he text me that plans had changed and he was leaving at 3:30. The next morning, thinking that he was well on his way, I was called and told that he had been at the airport since 4:00 and the plane wasn't leaving until 9:45. We delayed leaving and went to spend time with him at the airport. When it was announced that the 9:45 flight had been delayed until 10:30, we decided to go on. His flight was postponed 2 more times and finally got off at 12:45. He arrived in San Antonio around 4:30 and is now at Fort Sam Houston.
When I spoke to him today, he said that he thought he was going to like this...Females were there! Oh no...now I have another thing to worry about. Haha. I'm anxious to see what goes on during this time. He's in reception period until Sunday when they will be moved to the AIT site and begin his studies. 4 months to go...I'll keep you posted.